Holly Rae Matucheski, of Polar, Wisconsin, died at home on June 3, 2020, surrounded by her family. Cause of death not related to Covid-19. She was 69 years old. She was born on December 25, 1950, in Polar, a daughter of Edward and Violet (Ingalls) Smitmajer. She met Frank Matucheski while she was waitressing at The Dixie Lunch in Antigo. They married 2 months later on January 25, 1969, at St. John Lutheran Church, Polar, Wisconsin. She was a high school senior at the time. The counselors wanted her to quit high school for being a bad influence on her peers--a married woman in high school was scandalous! She stayed and graduated from Antigo High School in May 1969.
In her youth, she spent many summers with friends swimming at Mueller's Lake in Polar. She was actively involved in her church, St John's Lutheran in Polar. After meeting and marrying her husband, she put off going to college. While raising their three children, she decided to make her dream of becoming a nurse come true. She graduated from North Central Technical College with an associate's degree in nursing in 1984. She worked briefly at Langlade County Hospital before becoming a visiting nurse with Langlade County Health Services in the 1980s. Then, she attended Marian University while working full time and graduated with a Bachelor of Science-Nursing degree in 1989. She was promoted to Assistant Director, and later became the Public Health Officer for Langlade County in 1997.
Holly was a force to be reckoned with. She was well known in the community for her bubbly personality and sparkling laugh. She carefully balanced work and home life to make sure her children felt loved and supported while serving her community. She took great pride in her work. She was a trailblazer for health initiatives in Langlade County. One of her crowning achievements was creating a public health policy for handling dog bites, collaborating with the local police department, humane society, and veterinarians. When she had a personal episode with shingles, she shared the experience, treating it as a way to promote health education for shingles vaccination and prevention, so that others would not have to go through the same difficult experience. She provided HomeCare to the county through the Health Department so people could stay in their homes at the end of life for many years before a private home care agency arrived. Hospice services were not available except through Home Care Services from the Health Department. The hospital eventually took on Hospice as a program, Holly made sure that the community's needs were met. She retired from the Health Department in 2011. Holly then served on The Langlade County Board for 6 years beginning in 2012 and served on the Central Wisconsin Health Care Board for five years.
In her free time, Holly enjoyed quilting and participated in many classes and retreats with friends over the years. Her beautiful quilts and wall hangings adorn the homes of many of her loved ones. She also loved traveling with Frank to his military reunions that took place around the country.
Survivors include her husband, Frank, two daughters Michele (Christian) Long-Matucheski, Oshkosh, Amanda (Yusuke) Yoshida, Japan, and a son Seth Matucheski, Polar; three grandchildren, Oliver Long, Ailin and Luka Yoshida; a sister, Cindy (Steve) Rasmussen, Wisconsin Rapids; a god-daughter, Ashleigh (Dustin) Halverson, Wisconsin Rapids.
She was preceded in death by her parents.
Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday June 9, 2020, at Bradley Funeral Home with Chaplain David Guerrero officiating.
Visitation will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. on Monday at the Bradley Funeral Home and on Tuesday one hour prior to services also at the funeral home.
The family is grateful to all the nurses and caregivers of LeRoyer Hospice along with Mary DeBroux and Betsy Ahner for their help and support.
Services
Visitation
Antigo, WI 54409
Visitation
Antigo, WI 54409
Service
Antigo, WI 54409
3 people have supported the family by purchasing them flowers or gifts from the Healing Registry.
Holly’s family. I regret that I just heard of Holly’s death and was unable to share condolences before now. You have my greatest sympathy. I knew Holly when she was the director at the Health Department t and I was the director at the Health Care center. You mom/wife was a wonderful person who was such a hard working and dedicated person. She was willing to do whatever she had to to help people. She worked I a male dominated administrative system, Langlade county but she stood her ground and never gave up. She gained a tremendous amount of respect from us all. I worked with her on many county initiative and was proud to call he my friend and colleague. When she retired and ran for the county board I told her she was nuts. She had to go in from of the board so many times I thought that would be the last place for her. But once again she knew what was in the best interest of the people and worked hard for people, especially people that were disabled and needed help. She was a great person. She will be missed.
You are in our prayers and thoughts.
Peace to you and your family.
Jim Hahn.
I am so stunned by Holly's death. There were three of us that were best friends in high school, Sally, Debbie and Holly. We had many fabulous down at Mueller's Lake as teenagers. Running the concession stand, riding motorcycles and hiking around the lake. I had lost contact with Holly after high school but would see her occasionally at my work at Aspirus as a nurse. she was a force to be reckoned with. The world is a better place because of Holly. Rest and be happy in heaven dear friend from long ago. Debbie (Pearson) Henry
Heartfelt sympathy to Holly’s family . I first met Holly many years ago when she was the assistant director and I was elected to the Board of Health . Fast forward some years and it was her retirement party and she asked what I thought of her running for County Board!! She was as great at that job as I knew she would..we had many lunches together discussing board business plus solving world problems. She will be missed by so many people. Hugs to all. Miss you Holly you added so much to Life
Holly was so generous with her time and efforts. Once when both of my parents had urgent health situations, Holly actually took my mother to see the doctor so I could take my dad. Always above and beyond.
Holly, you will always be remembered and missed.
Laura Hoffmeister, coworker and friends
Frank and family. so sorry for your loss.
Enjoyed working with Holly at the Health Dept, we had so many fun, energetic, educational work days! Really treasure my homemade gifts(tote, wall hanging, xmas ornaments, table runner). Made w/love & talent. She was there for me when I was unable to remain working for health reasons. My sympathies to Frank & Holly's family.
I had the honor of working with Holly from 2004 to 2012 as director of Langlade County Department of Social Services. She was very pleasant to work with, even though there were times we would lock horns, we always ended up with mutual respect and friendship. She will be remembered for her professionalism and her sincere caring for others. Lansdale County is a better place because of Holly.
Friends were important to Holly. She always said "friends are the most important thing for a woman".
Friends were very important to her. She always made a point of telling us that friends are the most important thing for a woman.
Holly was Jim’s Aunt. I’ve known Holly for over 37 years, as long as Jim and I have been married. She was a wonderful, caring and beautiful person. She loved her family and friends very much. Jim’s mom Rosie, would go with Holly to some quilting retreats together. They both were very talented in making quilts. Every time I would see Holly she always had a big smile on her face. I didn’t realize Holly had so many jobs and did so many things in the community to help others. That’s how much of a generous person she was. Our thoughts and prayers go out to her family.
Family is so important. Mom loved having people over until she no longer could host people comfortably. Remember those HUGE Christmas parties she used to host? This one was a much smaller one but included lots of love, stories, and food.
Auntie Rosita (d. 2015), Auntie Sharon, Mom and me at the Mexican restaurant in town. It was their favorite restaurant. What a nice lunch with the ladies.
My two favorite people.
My last trip with Mom to Lake Michigan, August 2019.
My two favorite people.
My last trip with Mom to Lake Michigan, August 2019.
Holly was truly a force to be reckoned with and will be missed by many. We were fortunate to have Holly and Frank as neighbors over on Gruenberg Road for many years. You truly have our sympathy. Joel & Jodi Zalewski
Holly with her daughter Michele for Lunch at Koreana in Appleton
Holly served on the Board of Directors for Headstart. She was a strong advocate for the program and always kept the needs of the children front and foremost. She personified CARING and has left her signature on the world.
We are sorry to read about the death of Holly. She gave much to the Langlade Co community and will be missed greatly by many. Our thoughts and prayers to you all. Jeanne and Jim Peters.
I'm so sorry for your loss, for our loss. Holly was one of the most kind and caring people I knew. We had lots of fun on the radio as we had many on air chats. She truly was a blessing to everyone who knew her. She will be missed. Tim Unsinn
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