Jan. 26, 1921 - Oct. 16, 2014
Date of Service: Oct. 22, 2014
Nelda Jane (Hill) Matthews
Jan. 26, 1921 - Oct. 16, 2014
DECLO - Our mom, Nelda Matthews, 93, passed away at her home in Declo surrounded by her family on Thursday, Oct. 16, 2014.
Mom was born on Jan. 26, 1921, in Albion, Idaho, the middle daughter of Frank Isaac Hill and Bertha Loanda (Phippen) Hill. She joined Loanda and Fern, her older sisters, and was followed by Gaylen, a brother, and another sister, Ardene.
The family moved to Burley and Mom attended all 12 years in Burley schools. She completed elementary school at the old Southwest and Miller schools, junior high at Burley Jr. High, and finally graduated from Burley High School in 1938. She loved school and had many memories of friends and events that she shared often. She related, “I was just an average student in school,” but we never thought that the woman we considered the smartest in the world could be average at anything.
In 1951, she married John “White” Matthews in Elko, Nevada. They first settled in Burley but moved to Declo in 1953 and she resided there until her passing. Mom and Dad raised eight children in Declo. She told Dad when they moved, “Well, you might move me to Declo, but my kids will never go to school there.” Those words she said, she proudly ate, as all her kids graduated from Declo schools and all but two of her 20 grandkids also graduated from Declo. The other two moved and graduated other places.
Nelda was happiest when cooking, having the family together, taking lunch to the trail rides, and working as the Declo city clerk for 27 years retiring at the age of 82. It was often mentioned by her that breakfast was determined by the number of friends who came up from the basement in the morning. Sunday dinners were an “open” invitation to whoever showed up. It was your fault if you didn’t. She loved to walk and get her own mail, and walk to and from work. Mom was an active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and served in many positions. She loved going visiting teaching and riding to church with her best friend, Mavis Matthews.
Mom was preceded in death by her parents, Frank and Bertha Hill; her husband, John “White” Matthews; two sisters, Fern Hunter and Ardene Hill; a brother, Gaylen Hill; two daughters, Gaylia Mehrer and Karen Matthews; and a grandson, Brad Matthews.
She is survived by her older sister, Loanda Manning of Burley; six of her children, Mike H. (Nan) Matthews, Joan (Harvey) Bell, Janet (Randy) Brackenbury, Shirley Matthews, Scott (Sherry) Matthews, and John (Teresa) Matthews, all living in this area. Her legacy is also includes 20 grandchildren and 32 great-grandchildren. There are also many nieces and nephews living and scattered around the country.
The family wishes to thank Dr. Joe Petersen and Dr. Walter Graham. Thanks to the hospice care givers who came to her home until her passing. A special thanks to all those at the Cassia Regional Medical Center who looked after her night and day for the two weeks while she was in the hospital.
The funeral will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 22, at the Declo LDS Stake Center, 213 W. Main St., in Declo, with Bishop Gregory L. Osterhout officiating. Burial will be in the Declo Cemetery.
Friends may call from 6 until 8 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 21, at the Rasmussen Funeral Home, 1350 E. 16th St., in Burley, and from 10 until 10:45 a.m. Wednesday at the church.
