Barbara Mateer

Barbara Evelyn Coyne Mateer was born September 9, 1929 in Aberdeen, South Dakota, the daughter of Earl and Anne Coyne. Barbara, one of seven children, grew up in Aberdeen where she attended school. On November 8, 1952 Barbara was united in marriage to William Hugh Mateer, of Sioux Falls, South Dakota, in Aberdeen, South Dakota. The couple made their home in Minneapolis where Barbara was a bank teller. They moved back to Aberdeen before moving to Mobridge, South Dakota where they started to raise a family of six children. In 1968 Barbara and Bill moved their family to Alexandria, Minnesota. Barbara participated in a variety of learning opportunities over the years via community education classes and college course work. Upon retiring from Jefferson Senior High School she took up a lifelong passion – painting. She was an active member of the Brush and Palette Club, as a prolific painter. She enjoyed learning different techniques which she utilized regularly. Barbara gifted and or sold her works of art to family and friends. Barbara was an active member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Alexandria. She was a Eucharistic Minister, participated in Eucharistic Adoration, and volunteered for the funeral committee. Barbara and Bill were long time members of the Marriage Encounter Group. She was also involved in Belle Lettres, a book club and playing bridge. She loved spending time with family and friends, playing card games and sharing memories. Barbara was an adventuresome traveler; Bill carried the luggage. They wintered in Fort Walton Beach, Florida for many years. On August 7, 2015, Barbara died at the age of 85 years. She is preceded in death by her husband Bill; siblings, Patty Roberts, Margaret McDermott and Joan Mansfield; two grandchildren, Stella Sorenson and Florian Mateer. Barbara is survived by her children, Jennifer Mateer of White Bear Lake, MN, Curtis Mateer and wife, Sandy, of Alexandria, MN, Mary Mateer of Minneapolis, MN, Timothy Mateer and wife, Sara Breuer, of Austin , TX, Patricia Mateer Ludwig and husband, Paul, of St. Nicholas, MN, Joseph Mateer and wife, Christine, of Arcata, CA; nine grandchildren, Rebecca Mateer, Shaun Mateer, Henry Mateer, Lucas Ludwig, Maggie Ludwig, Colin Mateer, Bryce Mateer, Milo Mateer and Iris Mateer; siblings, Larry Coyne, Joseph Coyne, Mary Summers and Michael Coyne. She is also survived by a multitude of nieces and nephews who she loved dearly. Barbara had a large group of long time and true friends until her passing, Barbara participated in a round robin letter writing campaign with grade and high school friends. In Lieu of flowers, Barbara encouraged donations to one of the following groups: The Douglas County Library, Theatre Le Homme Dieu, St. Mary's Catholic Church or the Rein in Sarcoma Foundation.

Barbara Mateer

September 9, 1929 - August 7, 2015