Betty Mattas, age 87 of Wilson, passed away on Friday, February 21, 2020, in Tipton, Kansas surrounded by her loved ones. Betty was born to Henry J. Kepka and Charlotte (Lilak) Kepka on December 17, 1932, in rural Dorrance, Kansas. She had five siblings; Raymond, Harold, Leonard, Alice, and Adeline.
Betty grew up in Dorrance where she attended Dorrance High School and graduated with the Class of 1950. Following high school, she went on to attend Marymount College in Salina for two years. She then returned to rural Dorrance where she met Emil F. Mattas. They were united in marriage on April 3, 1956, in Wilson, Kansas. Betty and Emil moved to a family farm east of Wilson where they raised their four children: Kathleen, Teresa, Francis, and Rosemary. Due to scarlet fever at age 5, Betty was deaf for a lot of her life and she became a talented, self-taught, lip reader. She enjoyed polka dancing, crocheting, the farm, and being outside. She loved her farm animals, especially the dogs. Betty was an extremely hard worker, never known to complain; she was humble and will be remembered for her contagious chuckle and smile that never faded. A devout Catholic, she was a member of the St. Wenceslaus Church Altar Society. Her church family will remember her usual place in the front right, and although now empty, her memory will be cherished.
A hardworking woman of faith, hope, and love, Betty showed us all by her life that the greatest of these is love. Although she will be greatly missed, she will live forever in the hearts of those who knew her best, for they were greatly loved.
Betty is survived by her children, Francis (Stephanie) Mattas of Greenville, SC; Kathleen (Wendell) Willis of Lenexa, KS; and Teresa (Tom) Gasper, of Tipton, KS; brother, Raymond (Arnelda) Kepka of Dorrance, KS; eleven grandchildren; and ten great-grandchildren.
She is preceded in death by her parents, Henry and Charlotte Kepka; daughter, Rosemary Dlabal; and siblings, Harold and Leonard Kepka, Alice Gerritzen, and Adeline Bechard.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Tuesday, February 25, 2020, at the St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church at 10:30 AM. Burial will follow at the St. Wenceslaus Catholic Cemetery. Visitation will be on Monday, February 24, 2020, 2:00 PM until 4:00 PM at the funeral home in Wilson and 5:00 PM until 8:00 PM at the church with a Vigil Service and Rosary at 7:00PM.
Memorials are suggested to the St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church or the Wilson Senior Center and may be sent in care of Plumer-Overlease Funeral Home, PO BOX 533, Wilson, KS, 67490.