Emma Barbara (Haupt) Mathewson

Beloved wife, mother grandmother, sister and friend Emma Barbara (Haupt) Mathewson passed away quietly on December 11th, 2020 at Devonshire Acres Nursing Home in Sterling, Colorado.

One of eight children, Emma was born April 19th, 1932 in La Junta, Colorado to Henry Peter Haupt and Katherine Marie (Eirich) Haupt. Emma grew up on her family farm near Sidney, NE and graduated from Sidney High School in 1950 having attended Lutheran schools through eighth grade. Emma married Max Mathewson on June 11th, 1950 and made a home with him on their farm northwest of Sterling, CO for more than 60 years before moving to their home in town (Sterling). Emma and Max shared 67 years of marriage before his passing.

Through the years Emma was a 4-H leader, member of the Lutheran Women’s Missionary League, member of the Greyland Neighborhood improvement club and leader of a quilting group that made hundreds of quilts for World Relief. Family and friends were blessed by her cake decorating, quilting, knitting, crocheting, painting, and ceramics. If you knew her, you probably have something in your house that she made for you or taught you how to make yourself.  Famous for organizing family get-togethers and events, Emma loved to have people around and she was a great cook! She worked alongside Max in all aspects of farming including driving tractors, trucks and combines.

Emma is preceded in death by husband Max, her parents, a brother Albert Haupt and his wife Phyllis, sisters Marie (Haupt) Kurz and husband Carl, Lydia (Haupt) Flohr and husband Fred, Martha (Haupt) Meyer and husband Edwin, Dena (Haupt) Staible and husband Ed, and infant daughter Baby Emma Mathewson.

She is survived by brothers Edward Haupt and wife Beverly of Omaha, NE, Gerald Haupt and wife Glea of Sidney, NE, 6 children; Tonie Yetter and husband Ron of Fort Morgan, CO, Wendy Mathewson of Littleton, CO, Steven Mathewson and Ella Mae of Sterling, CO, Gail Dick and husband Marty of De Soto, KS, Daniel Mathewson of Sterling, CO, and Amber Mathewson of Sahuarita, AZ; 18 grandchildren children, 25 great-grandchildren, two great-great-grandchildren as well as 5 step grandchildren and 10 step great-grandchildren and 4 step great-great-grandchildren.

Visitation was held on Friday, Dec. 18 from 2 pm to 6 pm at Tennant Funeral Home.  Funeral services were held 10 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 19, at the First English Lutheran Church with Rev. Richard von Steinman officiating.  Burial was at Sunset Memorial Gardens.

In lieu of flowers please consider a donation to the First English Lutheran Church care of Tennant Funeral Home, PO Box 1547, Sterling, CO 80751.