Sherwood Matti
Sherwood Edgar Matti, Eastman, passed away, unexpectedly, Thursday, March 14, 2019, at his home, due to natural causes.
He was born April 25, 1929, in a box car, attached to the house, in Charme, Wisconsin.
He was named after a local minister, Sherwood Eddie. He was one of five children, Ethel, Gaylord, Neal and Leila. Growing up, he worked on the farm and enjoyed playing softball and marbles. He graduated from Prairie du Chien High School in the old B.A. Kennedy School. In 1955, Sherwood and his dad built the house he presently lived in.
Sherwood married Marlene Virginia Hein on July 5, 1959. They had five children, Cindy, Jimmy, Richard, Cheryl and Laurie. They divorced after 25 years of marriage. Sherwood married Donna Mae Kruggel, July 19, 1986. They had one son, Thomas. Sherwood enjoyed bowling, golfing, fishing and having fish frys for friends and family, hunting, playing cribbage and was a remarkable euchre player. He was a Green Bay Packer, Badger and Milwaukee Brewer fan. Most of the time he enjoyed watching sports and game shows on TV. He built, with love and pride, several woodworking pieces out of lumber from his farm. Many of his pieces can still be seen in the area, especially his quarter state maps. Sherwood was a hard-working man who was full of laughter and life and was proud of his farm. Sherwood was one of the first inductees into the Eastman Fast Pitch Softball Hall of Fame. He started softball in the area. He was instrumental in getting lights to the Eastman Ball Park. He was the first manager to organize a team that played in Eastman and other leagues in the area. He played third base and was a relief pitcher for his team. He enjoyed playing euchre at the Eagles Club, and started a Friday league. Sherwood will be remembered for his kindness, smile and sense of humor. His gestures will be missed by many.
Sherwood is survived by his wife, Donna from Eastman; brother, Neal Matti from Gillette, Wyo.; brother-in-law, Jim (Mary Ann) Peterson; mother-in-law, Delores Kruggel; other sisters-in-law, Janice Kurggel and Connie Kalk; brothers-in-law, Ron Kruggel, Gary (Lori) Kruggel and Charles (Chris) Kruggel; children, Cindy (Brian) Matti Ehlers from Prairie du Chien, Richard Matti (Tracy Gerber) from Boscobel, Cheryl Matti Breslin from Park Ridge, Ill., Laurie Matti (Scott Graham) from La Crosse, and Thomas (Brittany) Matti from Holmen. He’s also survived by 16 grandchildren, Heather, Steven and Cara Brody; Bryant, Brianna, Trenten and Dylan Matti; Katie and Madeline Jore; Kailee, Meghan and Matt Breslin; and Ava, Noah, Ella and Ayden Matti; four step-grandchildren, Kerri, Katie, Kristi and Kassie Ehlers; and five great-grandchildren, Makenna, Jackson, Gryphon, Parker and Benson, as well as two expected great-granddaughters this summer.
Sherwood was preceded in death by his parents, Harrison and Nettie Matti; sisters, Ethel Lorenz and Leila Peterson; brother, Gaylord Matti; and a son, Jimmy.
In lieu of flowers, memorials will be donated to the Eastman Softball Hall of Fame, The Eagles Club and Grace Lutheran Church.
Visitation was Sunday, March 17, at Thornburg-Grau Funeral Home and Cremation Service, Prairie du Chien. Funeral services were Monday, March 18, at Grace Lutheran Church, Prairie du Chien, with Rev. Daniel Naumann as the officiant. Burial followed at National Cemetery, Eastman. Thornburg-Grau Funeral Home and Cremation Service is helping the family with the arrangements.
