Full Obituary

PHILIP O. "FIBBER" MATTES, age 73, of Thorp, WI, passed away at Our Lady of Victory Hospital, in Stanley, WI, on Thursday, January 8, 2015. A visitation will be held at St. Paul's Lutheran Church, Thorp, WI, on Saturday, January 17, 2015, from 9:30 - 11:30am. A memorial service will follow with Rev. Paul Bittner officiating. A burial will take place in Sylvan Cemetery, in the Township of Reseburg at a later date. WEAR YOUR COWBOY BOOTS!

Philip Orlin Mattes was born on November 7, 1941 in the Town of Reseburg, rural Thorp, to Philip C. and Elmira M. (Kuester) Mattes. Philip graduated from Thorp High School in 1960 and then attended the UW-Whitewater. He was united in marriage to Diane J. Wuethrich on August 6, 1966 in Greenwood. Fibber farmed in the Town of Reseburg, and later bought Mattes Livestock.

Fibber enjoyed going to cattle auctions, playing cards, the beaches of Mexico, and telling stories about his business ventures.

He was a member of St. Paul's Lutheran Church and the Wisconsin Livestock Dealer's Association.

Fibber was an organ donor, allowing more people in need to live.

He is survived by his wife: Diane, of Thorp; his daughter: Laura (Thomas) Schleicher of Oconomowoc, WI; sister: Jean (Dr. Daniel) Winger of Surprise, AZ; niece: Michele (Richard) Price of Stanley, WI, and their children: Victoria (Jeff) Flashinski and their son, Bradley of Thorp, WI, Alexandra Price of Eagan, MN, Nathan Price and his daughter, Azylia, of Stanley, WI; nephew: Paul Winger of Chippewa Falls, WI. His family also included: Dallas (Lois) Wuethrich and their children: Tayt (Jennifer) Wuethrich and Trevor (Tonia) Wuethrich, all of Greenwood, WI; Dawn (Keith) Stump of Maricopa, AZ, and their children: Jay (Lona) Stump of Greenwood, WI, Jill Stump of DePere, WI, and Janet (Daniel) Stensgard of Maricopa, AZ.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his son: Philip Jon Frederick Mattes; two brothers: Donald and Marlyn Mattes; and his favorite Beagle, Bentley.

We would like to thank Dr. Kinkaid of the Mayo Clinic, his faithful right-hand men: Pat Benzschawel, Zack Bauer, and Pat Bauer, and the Thorp EMT's for their heroic response.

Memorials may be directed to the Philip Mattes Memorial Fund.