Obituary of James Earl Matthiesen

James Earl “Jim” Matthiesen passed away in the early morning hours on November 19, 2005, at Providence St. Peter Hospital, from complications of a massive stroke.Jim is survived by his loving wife of 58 years, Ruthie; two sons, Jerry, Randy and his wife Marsha, of Newberg, Oregon, and one daughter, Penny of Juneau, Alaska. Jim was also very proud of his four grandchildren and their spouses; Nikole Emerson and her husband Mike of Beaverton, Oregon, and Daniel and his wife Jennifer, of Newberg, Oregon, Joshua Matthiesen of Florida, and Melissa Ackerson of Colorado. Jim was fortunate to be able to live long enough to meet and enjoy Niki’s two beautiful children, Ellie and Gabe Emerson, and to anticipate the pending arrival of Daniel’s twin girls already named Emma Rose and Annelise Matthiesen. Jim is also survived by his two brothers, Richard of Honduras, and Gary and his wife Jan, and their two children Brad and Megan, all of Vancouver, Washington; his Aunt, Thelma and her children, Sandra and John all of Olympia. Jim was very close to his brother-in-law, John Small, his first wife, Rosemary, and John’s current wife, Jeanine and their families; his sister-in-law, Bobbie Hahn and her children. Bobbie’s eldest daughter, Noralee Eversaul had a special place in Jim’s heart and was always considered his “second daughter”. Jim was born on March 4, 1928 in his grandparent’s dance hall (with a dance in progress) in Everly, Iowa. His mother, Lucy and her sisters baked the pies served in the dance hall. At age eight, Jim’s family moved to Mary’s Corner, Washington, where they farmed and logged. Jim was a sophomore in high school where he met his future wife, Ruthie Small. After graduating from Napavine High School and marriage to Ruthie, he started his adult life that would lead him toward many different occupations. His first job was selling and repairing chain saws in Chehalis, Washington. From there he worked on a large chicken ranch, a dairy farm and was a manager at a blueberry farm for several years. He also did some surveying and even owned and operated a small country store. He also worked for Georgia Pacific both in their plywood plant and later transferred to the G.P. cardboard plant where he completed his 20 years employment for G.P. During that time, Jim also worked as a reserve police officer for the Thurston County Sheriff’s Department and stocked shelves in his “free” hours at a Tumwater Grocery Store. Upon retirement from Georgia Pacific and never slowing down, he went to a job selling fireplaces and wood stoves, then to sales of Moorman Minerals where he sold mineral supplements to local farmers. In his spare time Jim obtained his real estate license and assisted Ruthie in owning and operating several real estate companies in the Olympia, Area. Jim worked for the State of Washington for several years, first as a veterinary tech, and later in his life for the Senate in janitorial services. Never one to be idle, Jim also owned and operated a small landscaping and home repair business named the “Handy Husband”. His last job was started at the age of 75 when he was hired by Wal-Mart to work in the plant department and serve as a Greeter. This was probably his favorite job because he got to do two things he always enjoyed, working with plants and talking to people. He had an optimistic approach to life and wanted to share that with others. Jim’s hobbies included photography, bow hunting, traveling, gardening, family activities, going to fairs, listening to Country Music and spending time with his beloved pets. He was a true animal lover having owned and loved many pets over his lifetime. He leaves behind two of his favorites “Taco” and “Tinker” and his special kitty, “Sweetie”. Jim has left his family with many memories that we will cherish forever. He was a wonderful husband and companion to Ruthie, a great father to his children and a most loving grandfather and great grandfather. He always tried to make life as interesting and grand as possible. He will be missed greatly, but we’re sure that Jim will always be dancing in Heaven’s great dance hall. In lieu of flowers, please send donations in Jim’s name to the American Diabetes Association, and or the American Cancer Association.