Delores Matre

Delores M. Matre, 89, of Highmore, passed away Sunday, June 21, 2020 at Avera St. Mary’s Hospital in Pierre, surrounded by love and sent home to be once again with her beloved husband, Don.

Funeral service was held at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, June 27, 2020 at the United Methodist Church, Highmore with Pastor Kippy Udehn officiating. Private burial followed at Highmore Cemetery.

Delores Mae (Fisher) Matre was born March 10, 1931 in Miller to Virgil I. and Frances (Parker) Fisher. She grew up in Hyde County, an only child, but part of a larger, loving family of grandparents, uncles, aunts, and cousins during the depression. They spent much of their time together learning what was most important: family, hard work, helping each other through hard times, and knowing that being together was the best entertainment there was. She attended elementary and high school in Highmore, one of eight students who were classmates for 12 years together. During high school she was active in choir, band, and a member of the Hisodak staff, worked in the high school library and graduated in 1949 as senior class president. She continued her education for a year, attending Northern State College in Aberdeen before returning home after a proposal of marriage from her high school sweetheart, Don Matre. They were married on August 19, 1951 in the United Methodist church of Highmore and this year would have celebrated 69 wonderful years together.

Before starting a family, Delores worked for the Hyde County Library, where her love for books and reading continued through her life. The nightly mantra “I’m going to bed and read for awhile” is still heard by her daughters as they do the same each night. Years later she served on the library board and always held a continued interest for its programs. Following her time with the library, Delores worked for several years at First State Bank of Highmore as a teller until leaving to start a family.

Her time at home during these years; before going back to work years later, were filled with all the things she loved and became quite skilled at. She always had beautiful flower beds; planting something new each year. Her huge garden, along with berry patches kept the pantry shelves and freezer full. Her often daily baking meant there was always something to look forward to, after her girls and the neighborhood kids got home from school. Delores loved to sew and knit, making her girls clothes and every Halloween costume for years; for both them and her grandchildren. Lots of first prizes for most of them. Her embroidery and knitting took on a special love when she found the pattern, Feather and Fans. She gifted baby afghans to any new addition in the community. It was the joy of her life when she received a special thank you from parents with a picture of each baby. She loved children and would start work on a new blanket as soon as one had found a home.

In the fall of 1966, Delores went back to work as a secretary for the superintendent of Highmore high school, working for several administrations before retiring 13 years later. These years were filled with many treasured memories of colleagues and students alike. Her stories of how much she enjoyed this time in her life taught us how to appreciate a job for all it can mean to you.

There is no rest for grandparents though, when daughter, Susan and her husband, Mark moved back to Highmore to raise their new family. Delores and Don helped every day with their two granddaughters who lived right next door. Two households becoming one, and a new generation sharing in all the knowledge and lessons of what a good time life can be. Everything from how to make the most beautiful mud pies to knitting an afghan or raising a garden. Grandma holds a special place in their hearts.

Grateful to have shared her life are her two daughters: Teri (Mike) Matre-Kirchner of Highmore and Bigfork, MT; and Susan (Mark) Pautsch of Kalispell, MT; two granddaughters: Kim (Brandon) Borge of Pierre and Debra Hight (Joe Schuring) of Dell Rapids; three great grandchildren: Mikayla Hight, Chase Hight, and Krew Schuring all of Dell Rapids; sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Fern and Charles Droz of Miller; and nieces, nephews, cousins and extended family.

Delores was preceded in death by her husband, Donald; her parents: Virgil and Frances Fisher; stepmother, Ona Fisher; half sister, Sheila Black, her in-laws, Paul and Dollie Mae Matre; and many other relatives and friends.

Please email your memories of Delores to info@familyfuneralhome.net. The message will be placed on a white balloon and given to the family. Please email messages no later than noon Friday, June 26, 2020 in order for them to be present at the funeral service.

In lieu of flowers, the family request memorials sent to Steps for Hope and the Hyde County Library.

Luze Funeral Home of Highmore has been entrusted with Delores' arrangements.