Christian Valentine Matz

Obituary Christian Valentine Matz "Together Forever" Christian passed away peacefully on November 9, 2006 to join his wife Caroline, who passed away last November 16, 2005. They enjoyed 70 years of married life. Christian was born on May 31, 1914 to Justina and Christian Matz in Estevan Saskatchewan, Canada. Of a family of eight children, he is the last surviving member. In 1920, he moved to North Dakota with his widowed mother and two sisters. In his early twenties, he met and married Caroline. In 1940, Chris and Caroline moved to Tacoma. He worked as a welder for the shipyards during the war, then home construction as a plasterer, returning to welding for the NP Railroad. He retired in 1976. He is survived by his sons, Jerome (Elaine) of Fircrest, Darrell (Shirley) of Tacoma, Leon (Fran) of Puyallup, and daughter Elaine (Phil) of Denver, CO. He was blessed with fourteen grandchildren, David, Kristine, Thomas, Bryan, Eric, Jennifer, Deena, Stacie, Deidre, Paul, Leane, Kimberly, Rebecca and Heather and six great-grandchildren, Garrett, Emma, Catherine, Andrew, Paul and Christian. He will be remembered as a kind and generous man, helping at their parish, St. Martin of Tours, while they lived in Fife. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus for sixty-nine years. He loved to play golf and was an active member of Linden Golf Club until his 85th birthday. He would challenge anyone to a good game of checkers or horseshoes. He enjoyed teasing his grandchildren, had a great sense of humor and a warm smile for family and friends. Our special thanks to the staff at Manor Care, Gig Harbor and Franciscan Hospice for their kind and loving care. Funeral Mass will be celebrated Friday, November 17, 2006 at 11AM at St. Martin of Tours. Rosary will be recited at 10:30AM at the church, prior to Mass. Interment at Gethsemane Cemetery. The family suggests memorial donations be made to Franciscan Hospice Care or St. Martin of Tours Catholic Church