Marian & Vern Matthews

Marian & Vern

Matthews

Well, they are both gone now. Dad has been without supervision for 16 years. He died in April 2001. Mom died October 4, 2017.

They were preceded in death by anyone who died before they did. If you are reading this, you are probably not one of them.

They both loved camping, fishing and venison. Dad liked to bank fish the Missouri River. He always had a fire going whether it was a campfire or wood stove. Mom liked garden soil, fallen leaves, sewing, magazines. The list is much longer for her. They both grew up during the Depression. Dad's take was "make do with what you have." Mom's take was "have plenty of stuff to make do."

Mom grew up in the Loring community, north of Malta, Mont. Dad started out at the mouth of Soda Creek (Petroleum County), before being flooded out by Fort Peck Reservoir. "To thine own self be true" and "Let's go get firewood," were two sayings we heard a lot growing up.

They were married April 28, 1948 and eventually had three sons: Steve, Mike and Murray. The rest is history or the future, however you want to look at it.

Grandma and Grandpa's house was always toasty warm, with the good smell of something cooking in the kitchen (cast iron, of course). Plenty of food for unexpected guests, a holdover from feeding a young husband and three sons. They played cribbage every day. I think they were both smart enough that on April 27, 2001, the score was even. They both championed the underdog in life as well as sports.

They are both gone from here now. Don't worry about them finding their way to heaven, because I assume somebody came to pick them up.

To thine own self be true and have plenty of firewood. Worked for them. Works for me. Thank you, Mom and Dad.