Wendell R. Matzke

OREGON - After a short stay at St. Mary’s Hospital, Wendell Matzke (age 77) passed away at Agrace Hospice on Sunday, Feb. 20, 2022. He was born in Monroe, Wis., on Nov. 11, 1944, raised in Clarno Township and graduated from Monroe High School. During high school, he met Reggie, his sweetheart and best buddy, who he married on Sept. 5, 1964, at the Staver Church. On their first date, Reggie was 16 and Wendell was 15 - she had the license, and he had the car. They spent 57 years enjoying life to the fullest.

Most of Wendell’s career involved transportation - from driving semi to school buses and most recently owning aLift Services for 17 years. aLift, a non-emergency medical transportation service, matched his personality perfectly - allowing him to help those in need of support.

His purpose in life was to help others - it made him thrive. He was able to make anyone feel comfortable no matter their condition. He greeted people with, “Happy Monday!” or “Hi Ya!” and wanted everyone to have a good day.  

His love for helping others led him to be involved in many organizations. Most of the ways he touched people’s lives were through wheels. With the Rotary Club of Oregon, Wendell and his friend, Al Brown, collected, refurbished and shipped hundreds of bikes to Africa. As a Rotarian, he also helped with the Elementary Bike Rodeo (he was still planning this while in the hospital), mentored Eagle Scouts and restored Lerner Conservation Park.

His love for boating led to volunteering as a boat captain and first mate in the Madison School and Community Recreation (MSCR) Pontoon Boat Program as well as participating with Fishing Has No Boundaries. Wendell also volunteered with the Jaycee BB Gun Safety Program with his friend, Joe Kinsey, area STE(A)M programs - where he was a big promoter of careers in the trades, Books for the World, collecting food and stocking shelves at the Oregon Food Pantry and Wednesday Night Community Suppers at the People’s United Methodist Church of Oregon.

While Wendell’s greatest satisfaction was helping others, he also enjoyed fishing and spending time on the boat he owned with his son, staying up to date on his grandchildren’s activities and having fun with Reggie. They enjoyed cross country skiing, hiking, mountain biking, road trips across the country to National Parks, wonderful trips to Switzerland and recently, cooking. Together they completed a cookbook with their favorite (and perfected) recipes.

He is survived by his wife, Reggie Matzke; children, Daryl (Diane) Matzke and Sheryl (Jim) Beyer; grandchildren, David Beyer (Paige Downing), Emily Matzke (Avery Elsing) and Ann Beyer (Matthew Dowell); brother-in-law, Romayn (Nancy) Rote; nieces and nephew, Ronda (Dewey) Reeder, Linda Rote and Ross (Mindy) Rote; and extended family and friends through his participation in many organizations.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Willard and Kathryn Matzke; his in-laws, Wilson and Mildred Rote; and his nephew, Randy Rote.

A memorial service for Wendell will be held at the BROOKLYN COMMUNITY METHODIST CHURCH, 201 Church St., Brooklyn, Wis., at 11 a.m. on Saturday, March 5, 2022. A visitation will be held at the church from 9 a.m. until the time of service. A luncheon will be provided following the service. Online condolences can be made at www.gundersonfh.com.

It’s almost impossible to list all the lives he touched by volunteering in the community. Accordingly, his family requests memorials be made to the organization that best represents your connection to Wendell. Please help give someone a lift and make it a good day.

As he always said, “Don’t do it if it’s not fun.”