Ralph R. Matt, 91, of Sumner, died Saturday, October 12, 2024, at his home, surrounded by his loving family.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 AM, Saturday, November 2, 2024, at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Sumner with Deacon Michal Schemmel officiating. Military rites provided by Thomas E. Woods Post #223, American Legion of Sumner will immediately follow the service. Visitation will be held from 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM, Friday, November 1st at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church and for one-hour preceding services at the Church on Saturday. Memorials may be made to the family for later designation. m.

Ralph Raynold, son of Arthur and Alberta (Berns) Matt was born August 25, 1933, in Clayton County, Iowa. He was baptized at St. Mark Catholic Church in Edgewood and began his early education at St. Peter’s Catholic School in Clermont. Ralph graduated from Clermont High School in 1951.

As the oldest of 8 children, Ralph’s character was shaped by the hardships of the Depression era. He was extremely resourceful and took great care and stewardship in everything around him, whether it was the land, plants, animals, or materials – Ralph believed everything had value and ensured nothing was wasted.

Ralph served in the United States Army from 1954-1956. He was stationed at Fort Bragg, North Carolina where he received training as a paratrooper. He completed 29 jumps as a paratrooper, each time landing firmly on his own two feet, a testament to his resilience. He was also selected to be part of the army honor guard to perform ceremonial duties with dignity and precision.

Ralph met his bride-to-be, Jeanine Cook, at a church service. She was enamored by his deep blue eyes and bashful smile. After a brief, in-person courtship they agreed to a long-distance relationship as Ralph left to fulfill his military service and Jeanine pursued a nursing degree in Rochester, MN. To stay connected, Ralph bought Dictaphones for both of them, and they recorded and exchanged love messages back and forth for two years. On November 30, 1957, Ralph and Jeanine were united in marriage at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Elkader, Iowa. Their union was blessed with 6 children: Juliann, David, Natasha, Theresa, Christopher, and Chad. They began their married life in West Union, where Ralph’s early work career spanned farming, Black Hawk Construction, Fayette County Bridge Crew, and Culligan Water Service. In 1971 Ralph accepted a job at John Deere Engine Works in Waterloo and the family moved to Sumner. Ralph worked with John Deere for 20 years in several departments, ending his career in the foundry.

Ralph was both an artist and a skilled craftsman. As a young man he drew and painted. Alongside his brothers, he devoted countless hours applying gold leaf to the altar of St. Peter’s Church in Clermont. Their work still stands as a lasting testament to their dedication. Ralph was creative with an uncanny ability to reimagine and redesign everyday items, often transforming the old into something entirely new and functional. He was always working on innovative ways to repurpose materials. His ingenuity made him a natural problem solver. This legacy of creative problem-solving lives on in Ralph’s children and grandchildren.

Ralph’s vision and creativity were equally evident in the construction projects he undertook as the family home expanded. With each addition, he incorporated remarkable architectural elements including setting roof rafters three stories high, welding robust railings, and crafting beautiful winding staircases.

Ralph also had a deep passion for gardening – he took great pride in nurturing seeds and seedlings into plants that bore the fruit of his labors. His specialty produce included homemade horseradish, tomato juice, and sauerkraut, reflecting the strong connection to his German heritage. Ralph also enjoyed antiquing and furniture restoration, and spending time at the Cook Heritage Farm.

During retirement Ralph and Jeanine traveled in the US and abroad. One trip highlight to Rome, Italy included shaking hands with Pope John Paul II. Ralph had a deep respect for his Catholic faith. He was a longtime member of the Immaculate Conception Church of Sumner.

Throughout his life, Ralph generously devoted himself to serving and caring for his wife, Jeanine, their six children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. He lived his life with a simple but powerful motto: faith, family and hard work. In November, Ralph and Jeanine would mark their 67th year of marriage.

Ralph is survived by his wife, Jeanine of Sumner, six children, Juliann (John) Schleuder of Fountain Hills, Arizona, David (Karen) Matt of Sumner, Natasha (Don) Hensrud of Rochester, Minnesota, Theresa Pagel of Sumner, Christopher (Kelly) Matt of Sumner, and Chad Matt of Sumner; sixteen grandchildren, Tanya (Albert) Ramirez, Ben (Samantha) Fordyce, Kathryn (Brad) Arthur, Kedric (Katie) Matt, Holly (Patrick) Mason, Dalton (Cortney) Matt, Gabrielle (Miles) Barnidge, Alexandra Hensrud, Isaac Hensrud, Hunter (Taylor) Pagel, Hannah (Rohit) Fonseca, Harrison Pagel, Megan (Alex) Matt-Callahan, Carter Matt, Spencer Matt, and Anderson Matt; fourteen great-grandchildren, Luca Fordyce, Ford, Addison, and Blaine Arthur, Bryce Matt, Brianna Matt, Kyle Matt, Lilian Mason, Lucy Mason, Ethan Matt, Ava Matt, Sydney Matt, Finnegan Barnidge, and Sterling Pagel; siblings, Doris Wagner of Castalia, Arthur (Laura) Matt of Clermont, Albert (Betty) Matt of Clermont, Mary Helen (Arlo) Schmitt of Mabel, Minnesota, Robert (Evy) Matt of Mount Vernon, and Loretta (Tom) Conrey of Cedar Rapids; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Dennis Rear of West Union, Dennis (Mary) Cook of Kansas City, Kansas and William (Deanna) Cook of West Des Moines; and many nieces, nephews, and extended family.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his grandson, Heston Pagel; great-grandson, Jaxon Matt; sister, Carla Rear; and brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, James and Alta Cook, Fran Matt, and Kenneth Wagner.

The family wishes to thank Care Initiatives Hospice, Mike Schemmel, Nancy McMillan, Amy Peyton, Lyric Kekander, and Jennie and Shine Olson for the wonderful care they provided for Ralph and his family during his last years.