Althea was born February 19, 1919, at Newell, SD, to Harvey and Frances (Webb) Beckham. She was raised in Newell and graduated from Sturgis High School. Following graduation, she married Bartley Murray in 1938. They moved to Sturgis.

Bartley died in 1947 and Althea began working at Urton Drug. She met Harry Lloyd Matz and the couple was married. They lived in Sturgis until
1964 when they moved to the ranch East of Sturgis. After Harry died in 1991, Althea moved to Sturgis where she lived until her death.

Althea was a member of the First Presbyterian Church in Sturgis where she had served as a deacon. She was also a member of the Rebbekahs and
the Busy Bee's Extension Club. She liked to shop and go out to eat. She also enjoyed long drives and travel. She liked her flowers and she loved
her family.

Althea Loree Matz, 93, of Sturgis, died, Monday, September 24, 2012, at Sturgis Regional Hospital.

Survivors include her sons, Harvey (Connie) Matz and Harold (Kim) Matz, all of Sturgis; daughter, Kay (John) Mentele, Rapid City; grandchildren, Darci, Stacey, Denise, Steve, Brian, Randee Kay, and Jace; great-grandchildren, Ashley, Andrew, Nicole, Damien, Cassie, and Owen; one great-great-granddaughter, Kalina; and one sister-in-law, June Beckham, Spearfish.

She was preceded in death by her parents; two husbands; four brothers; three sisters; one grandson, Scott; and one greatgranddaughter, Brittney.

Memorials have been established to the FirstPresbyterian Church and Hospice of the Northern Hills.

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