Mae Mathes

A celebration of life service for Mae A. Mathes, 90, of rural Russell, will be held Wednesday, May 17^th at 10:30 a.m. at the Knoxville Church of the Nazarene. Interment will be at the Graceland Cemetery in Knoxville following the service. Family will receive friends at her church on Tuesday evening, from 5:00 until 8:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to Mae's family. Pierschbacher Funeral Home is assisting the family with service arrangements.  All are welcome as we celebrate the remarkable life of Mae Mathes.

Mae Mathes, born Mae Rankin on December 8, 1932, passed away on May 13, 2023, at Knoxville Area Community Hospital. She was the beloved wife of Richard Mathes and loving mother to Sam, Becky, Phil, James, and Rachel.

Mae spent her formative years in Attica and attended school before pursuing higher education at Central College. Upon completing her studies, she worked at Bell phone company in Des Moines.

On July 27, 1955, Mae married Richard Mathes and moved to a farm south of Knoxville. In 1959, they relocated to the homeplace in rural Lucas County where they built their life together. Mae gave her life to the Lord when she was thirteen and her life was devoted to her Savior. This led her to become very active in the Knoxville Church of the Nazarene where she served diligently throughout the years.

Mae had a kind and loving heart especially towards children and was always surrounded by them whether outside or indoors baking cookies. Even with five children of her own, she remained a dedicated mother while also being an exceptional grandmother to her twenty-four grandchildren and forty-six great-grandchildren.

Throughout their more than six decades of marriage, Mae worked together with Richard as a team. Together they shared immense love, not only for each other, but for all of those who entered their home that was always open to visitors.

Mae is survived by her husband, Richard Mathes; children: Sam (Debbie) Mathes, Becky (Tom) Lorimer, Philip (Suzanne) Mathes, James (Kathy) Mathes, and Rachel (Brad) Arendt; 24 grandchildren; 46 great grandchildren; brothers: Ernest Rankin, Garold (Joyce) Rankin, and George (Martha) Rankin; sister-in-law, Judy Rankin; and a host of nieces, nephews, relatives, and friends.

Preceding her in death were her parents, Tom & Faye Rankin; sister, Helen Rozendaal; brother, Albert Rankin; brother-in-law, Bob Rozendaal; sister-in-law, Eneatha Rankin; and great grandson, Ace Fuller.

May her kind heart remain an inspiration for us all during this difficult time of loss.