Matthiessen, Clarence James 'C.J.' or 'Jim'

Clarence James “C.J.” or “Jim” Matthiessen, 83, of Monticello, died Monday, March 8, 2010, at Manor Care in Cedar Rapids. Friends may call from 4 to 8 p.m. Friday, March 12, at Kramer Funeral Home in Monticello. Private services will be held at a later date. Inurnment will be at U.S.M.A. in West Point, N.Y.

CJ was born July 12, 1926, the son of Clarence John and Alta (Farnham) Matthiessen in Monticello, Iowa. He attended the Monticello schools and graduated in 1944. CJ was appointed to the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, graduating in 1950. He commanded a battery of howitzers in the front lines during the Korean War, earning a Bronze Star and a Purple Heart. He earned a Master of Arts degree at the University of Pennsylvania and taught English at West Point until 1961. Additionally he served in Alaska, Colorado and Germany, retiring in 1969 at the rank of lieutenant colonel.

He married Barbara Stem on June 10, 1950, in Milford, N.J. To this union were born two children, Martha and James. They later divorced. Jim and Devonna Lee Hyde were united in marriage on Jan. 30, 1961, in Waterloo, Iowa, and had two more children, Mark and Marilee.

In 1972, CJ earned a Juris Doctorate at the University of Iowa. He began his career as a practicing attorney in Monticello for 36 years, and he served as magistrate for Jones County for several decades.

Surviving are his wife, Devonna “Dee”; four children, Marti (Gregg) Laird of Saratoga Springs, N.Y., Jamie Matthiessen of New Milford, Conn., Mark (Melissa) Matthiessen of New Haven, Conn., and Marilee (Steve) Kline of Pittsburgh, Pa.; four grandchildren, Rachel (Todd) Carozza of Saratoga Springs, N.Y., Peter and Dana Matthiessen of Brooklyn, N.Y., and James Kline of Pittsburgh, Pa.; and two great-grandchildren, Olivia and Daniel Carozza.

He was preceded in death by his parents; and a sister, Marilee (Richard) Bonwell.

Information available and condolences accepted at