HURON –– Jean Mattke, age 76, of Huron, passed away on Wednesday, January 28, 2026, at Peaceful Pines Assisted Living under hospice care with her family by her side. Her funeral service will be held at 10:30 a.m., on Monday, Feb. 2, at American Lutheran Church with burial to follow at Restlawn Memory Gardens Cemetery in Huron. Visitation, with her family present, will be from 3 to 5 p.m., on Sunday, Feb. 1, at Welter Funeral Home. A prayer service will begin at 4:30 p.m. on Sunday afternoon. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed towards American Lutheran Church and HRMC Hospice.
Jean Marie was born on July 26, 1949, in Watertown, to Glenn and Evelyn (Kahnke) Halse. She grew up in Huron and graduated from Huron High School in 1967. Jean attended Springfield University where she received her teaching degree. On June 14, 1969, Jean married Bob Mattke at American Lutheran Church in Huron. Shortly after their marriage, the couple lived in Augsburg, Germany for two years while Bob was deployed in the Army. While there, their daughter Nicole was born. After Bob’s service, the couple made their home south of Huron, where they welcomed Stacy and Troy.
A dedicated and hardworking woman, Jean held positions at several Huron businesses throughout the years, including Harold’s Drive-In, Wilbrect Electronics, Protective Coating, Huron Dry Cleaners, and Ace Hardware. Jean also owned and operated R&R Ceramics in Huron. She also devoted herself to her role as a homemaker, caring for her family with pride and commitment. Earlier in her retirement she enjoyed camping and traveling the countryside.
Jean was a faithful member of American Lutheran Church and was actively involved in 4-H while her children participated. In her free time, she enjoyed playing cards—especially Skip-Bo—working on puzzles, cross-stitch, ceramics, and playing solitaire. She also liked to garden. She enjoyed dancing with her favorites being polka and ballroom. Jean and Bob especially cherished supporting their grandchildren in all of their activities.
She is survived by her husband Bob of Huron; children and grandchildren; daughter Nicole (Eric) Held of Logan, Utah, and their children Greta Held (Bryce Smith), Ericson (Valyna) Held, Gavin Held, Collette (Issac) Walbeck, and Julia Held; daughter Stacy (Matt) Meyer of Lester Prairie, Minn., and their children, Connor, Logan and Grady Meyer; son Troy (Amy) Mattke of Huron and their children, Ben, Alex, and Will Mattke; two great-grandchildren, Stella Held and Evelyn Walbeck; brother Gary (Diane) Halse of Peoria, Ariz., and sister Sally (Dunnley) Mattke of Marco Island, Fla.; sisters-in-law, Carolin (Bob) Shinderling of Derby, Kan., and Donna Alter of Huron; and many nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents, brother Terry Halse, and her parents-in-law, Delvin and Delma Mattke.
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