Matt, Lloyd L.

Lloyd L. Matt, 82, of Elkader, died Wednesday, March 14, 2012, following a short illness at St. Luke's Hospital in Cedar Rapids. Mass of Christian Burial: 11 a.m. Thursday, March 22, at St. Joseph's Catholic Church, Elkader, with the Rev. Paul R. Peters. Friends may call one hour before mass at the church on Thursday. Interment, with military honors: 1:15 p.m. Thursday at Garnavillo City Cemetery, Garnavillo.

He was born May 2, 1929, in Garnavillo, Iowa, the son of Benjamin and Edna (Milewsky) Matt. Lloyd was raised in the Garnavillo area. He graduated from Garnavillo High School. He took a short break from high school to help his dad on the farm and returned later. He served in the United States Army from 1949 to 1951 and received the Army Occupation Medal (Japan). He was a member of the American Legion.

On May 30, 1964, Lloyd was united in marriage to Marlis Frances Gobin at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Garnavillo. Together they resided in Garnavillo, where Lloyd worked at Seiffert's gas station until they moved to Guttenberg, where Lloyd owned and operated the North Star gas station and ultimately retired from the railroad (Milwaukee Road, Soo Line, and others as it was merged, bought and sold). Later they moved to Farmersburgand retired to Elkader.

A surprising fact is that my father never missed a single day of work during his tenure at the railroad and never took a single day of vacation - he saved it for the winter layoff; he worked while sick (including pneumonia) and walked miles of rail if he had to. He always said you have to go to work or there would be somebody else to take your place and you wouldn't have a job. He never complained about anything, he simply accepted it.

My dad enjoyed walking the roads of Clayton County picking up nickel cans until he broke his hip in 2007 outside the Elkader Post Office. He enjoyed watching Iowa Hawkeye sports with mom, walking, and gardening. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus and enjoyed fundraising with that organization - the raffles, breakfasts, and other events.

He was a devout member of the Catholic Church and rarely missed a weekly service. He enjoyed spending time with his grandson, Connor.

Survivors include two sons, Kevin (Carla) Matt of Palo and Brian Matt of Elkader; one daughter, Julie Matt of Viroqua, Wis.; one grandson, Connor Kevin Rhys Matt of Palo; two siblings, Mary Jane (Dick) Schrieter of Appleton, Wis., and Helen Mallory of Waukesha, Wis.; and numerous, cousins, nieces, nephews and friends.

We would like to thank the Elkader Care Center, Living Center West, and St. Luke's Hospital for the care our Dad received since his debilitating stroke in 2009.

Lloyd was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Marlis Frances Gobin; a brother, Donald Matt; and a brother-in-law, Bill Mallory.

Leonard Funeral Home in Elkader is in charge of arrangements.

Online condolences may be left with www.leonardfuneralhomes.com.

Published March 17, 2012, in The Gazette