Nina Matter

Nina Ethel Scharn Matter, age 83, of Sac City, Iowa formerly of Lytton, went peacefully to be in her heavenly home with Jesus on Sunday morning, July 4, 2004, at Loring Care Center in Sac City. Nina Ethel Krohn was born at home on February 1, 1921, the sixth born of 12 children, to Henry C. and Ethel E. (Darling) Krohn in Swift County, near Danvers, MN. Her parents traveled by train to the Lytton, Fonda area when Nina was a baby. She attended country school and graduated from Lytton High School in 1938. She was baptized as an infant and confirmed at American Lutheran Church at Lytton in 1936, where she remained a lifetime member.

On June 20, 1941, Nina and Vern R. Scharn were united in holy marriage at the Lutheran Church Parsonage by Rev. Gold. They were blessed with three children: Verlyn, Allen, and Marilyn. They made their home on the Kelly farm north of Lytton. When Marilyn was just a baby, they moved to the family farm after Rudy and Hattie Scharn moved to town. Nina worked beside Vern on the farm making sure the family was well fed and helped with the dairy operation. She always had a large garden with plenty of vegetables, huge potato patch, sweet corn, and strawberries. There were always apples and cherries to pick and canning to do. They had a dairy herd and plenty of chickens to keep everyone busy. To relax they loved to go fishing for bullheads and walleye. The Krohn family reunions were a highlight of the summer along with the fireworks on the 4th of July. In the early 60’s, Vern and Nina worked a part time job, side by side, at the Lytton Creamery. After Vern passed away on Labor Day, September 6, 1965, Nina and her son, Allen, continued to farm for a short time, until she moved to Sac City to be closer to her work at Loring Hospital, as a kitchen aide.

Nina and Harold Matter were married February 14, 1969, in N. Sioux City, SD. They made their home on the Matter farm south of Lytton until Harold retired in 1978 and then moved to their new home in Lytton. Nina enjoyed oil painting, sketching on pigskin, and drawing. She learned calligraphy and made wedding invitations and enjoyed doing special projects for the Ruth Circle at church. Harold and Nina were avid Hawkeye fans and enjoyed traveling to several Rose Bowl games. They also went fishing at Baudette, MN. Harold passed away in May of 1995. Nina moved to Loring Care Center due to her failing health in August of 1997 shortly after attending her last Krohn family reunion in Muscatine, IA.

Survivors include her children: Verlyn (Kathie) Scharn of Conway, AR, Allen (Nicki) Scharn of Arlington, MN, Marilyn (Rick) Dettmann of Sac City, IA; her step-children: Darwin (Mary) Matter of Sac City, Darlene (Chuck) Schmidt of Ames, IA, Darold (Jean) Matter of Sac City, IA, and Darla (Jon) Noel of Iowa City, IA; seven grandchildren; ten step-grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; 14 step-great-grandchildren; her eight brothers and sisters: Velma Nehman of Manson, IA, Erma Meyer of Sac City, Marvin (Arlene) Krohn of Jackson, MN, Buelah (Luvern) Baskerville of Clear Lake, IA, Marion (Roger) Walters of Muscatine, IA, Henry (Janice) Krohn, Jr. of Waukee, IA, Betty Loerch of Manson, IA, and Arla (Milton) Dahlene of N. Dartmouth, MA; her sisters-in-law: Edith Krohn of Rolfe, IA, Kurl Krohn of McKinney, TX, Luella Hatfield of Lake City, IA, and Helen Ringgenberg of Sac City. She is also survived by many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

Nina was preceded in death by her parents; husbands Vern Scharn, September 6, 1965, and Harold Matter May 20, 1995; three brothers: Willard, Claus, and Melvin as an infant; and her sisters-in-law: Leona Matter and Ella Krohn; and brother-in-law Louis Peters.

Funeral services will be Wednesday, July 7th, 10:30 a.m., at Emanuel-St. John’s Lutheran Church in Lytton, Iowa, with Pastor Wayne Pfannkuch officiating. Dennis Hinrichs, soloist, accompanied by Lorene Hinrichs, will provide special music. Jean Matter and Mary Matter will take care of the flower arrangements. The honorary pallbearers will be all of Nina’s grandchildren and great-grandchildren along with the Caregiver’s at Loring Care Center. The pallbearers include the following: Darwin Matter, Darold Matter, Chuck Schmidt, Leroy Meyer, Harlan Meyer, and Daryl Walters. Burial will be at St. John’s Lutheran Cemetery, rural Lytton, under the direction of the Farber & Otteman Funeral Home.

Visitation will be Tuesday, July 6th from 4:00-9:00 pm at the Farber & Otteman Funeral Home in Sac City.