Ruth Mattern's Obituary
Ruth S. MatternRuth S. Mattern, 82, loving wife and mother, departed this life on October 27, 2006 to be with her God and Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ. Born in Tacoma, WA on February 14, 1924 to Alice Hoff Samuelson and John Samuelson, Ruth was baptized and later confirmed into the Christian faith.She graduated from Lincoln High School in Tacoma in 1942. Throughout her life, Ruth loved classical music. She especially loved to sing. In school she sang in the choir and performed in an all-girl trio and an all-girl sextet. She sang as a soloist for weddings, funerals, and public events throughout Tacoma. Once a week, early in the morning before classes started at Lincoln High, Reverend Norman Anderson of Zion Lutheran Church, featured her solo vocal performances of sacred music on KMO RadioÂ's Â"Morning Devotions,Â" broadcast live from downtown Tacoma.After graduation, Ruth supported our troops overseas by working as a stenographer at Fort Lewis, WA from 1942-43. She then worked as a private secretary for Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company.At one of her public singing engagements in Tacoma, Ruth met Juleen Harris Mattern of Marysville, WA. They married on May 20, 1944, and relocated to St. Paul, Minnesota, where Juleen attended Luther Theological Seminary. Ruth studied French and Geometry at the University of MinnesotaÂ's Extension Division. The young couple supported themselves by working as resident apartment building managers, and as a photographic team, taking souvenir photos of diners at exclusive restaurants and clubs in the metropolitan St. Paul area. On April 3, 1945, Ruth gave birth to the first of their three beloved children, David Raymond Mattern.In 1947 Ruth and Juleen accepted a call to serve Our Savior Lutheran Church in Perth Amboy, New Jersey. In Perth Amboy, Ruth gave birth to their second child, Sharon Lee Mattern, on December 27, 1948. Juleen served as pastor until 1951, at which time he resigned his position and established Hamilton Nursing Home in New Brunswick, N.J. As co-founder of the 33-bed state-licensed nursing home, Ruth worked with Juleen for 19 years managing all aspects of the business: payroll, purchasing, bookkeeping, a nursing staff of 22 people, a full-service on-site kitchen and laundry, as well as maintaining 3 1/2 acres of commercial property. Committed to the success of the business, Ruth completed a 3-year program at Middlesex General Hospital School of Nursing, in New Brunswick, and graduated with a Hospital NurseÂ's Diploma in 1958. The HospitalÂ's Alumni Association honored her with an academic scholarship for further study.On October 12, 1959, Ruth and Juleen welcomed the birth of their third child, John Henry Mattern. Together they raised their family in a comfortable home. Long before the term  health foodÂ' became popular, Ruth cooked with whole grains and fresh vegetables grown in their garden. Her talents as a seamstress were remarkable. Her creations ranged from casual outfits to fine tailored jackets and elegant evening wear.As busy as she was, Ruth also managed to remain active in music. For several years she studied voice with soloist and vocal Professor John Powell of Rutgers University. When Mr. Powell was invited to sing the bass solo part in Igor StravinskyÂ's choral work, Â"Requiem Canticles,Â" he requested that Ruth join the performance as the alto soloist.The entire Mattern family sang in the Bethlehem Lutheran Church Choirs, where Ruth often sang solos as well as duets with her life-long friend, soprano Mari Stamm. Ruth sang with the Princeton Civic Opera, performing a solo part in MozartÂ's Â"Magic FluteÂ" with another life-time friend, soloist Noreen Barnes. Ruth and Juleen sang for years in the Rutgers University Concert Choir, performing the great choral works of Brahms, Verdi, Mahler, Bach, Orff , Walton, and Handel, on the Rutgers Campus and in Carnegie Hall in New York City.In 1970 Ruth and Juleen returned to their home state of Washington. Ruth worked as a Registered Nurse in the Surgical Suite at Doctors Hospital in Seattle for 2 years. She then studied data processing at Highline Community College and in 1980 completed an Associate Degree in Applied Science, as well as an AA Degree in Arts and Sciences. She graduated Phi Theta Kappa. With her computer skills, she worked for the non-profit International Network for Homeopathy in Seattle. She retired in 1986.In her 60Â's and 70Â's she walked 2 miles every day. She grew spectacular white orchids. She knew the lyrics and melodies to an endless number of songs. She surprised us frequently with her dry sense of humor. Ruth was a keen observer of people, and although she was skilled in many areas of life, she valued the personal qualities of people over their accomplishments. She had the unusual ability to be open to new ideas and yet maintain her own core beliefs. Even in the midst of occasional chaos, Ruth was at peace with herself.With grace and serenity, this beautiful woman endured the passing of her husband, Juleen, on September 1, 2006, as well as the passing of her first son, David, a month later on October 2nd. She is survived by her daughter, Sharon Floathe of Kirkland, WA, and her son, John Mattern of Fishers, IN. Also surviving are 2 grandchildren, Allen Mattern and Alicia Mattern, great grandson, Zachary Mattern, and cousins Olivann Hokold, Pat Pitzler, Betty Hartje, and Col. Dennis Johnson.
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