|
| Peter L. Matter, Age 70 |
| Visitation Location: |
Benson Funeral Home, St. Cloud, Minnesota |
| Visitation Date/Time: |
A reception and social time will follow from 6:00 to 8:00 pm February 27, 2023 |
| Funeral Time: |
A Celebration of Life program will be held at 5:00 pm on February 27, 2023 |
| Funeral Location: |
Benson Funeral Home Chapel, St. Cloud, Minnesota |
| Burial Location: |
Saint John's Abbey Cemetery, Collegeville, Minnesota |
| |
|
Peter L. Matter, 70
St. Cloud, MN
September 15, 1952 – January 26, 2023
Peter Leo Matter, 70, of St. Cloud MN died on Thursday morning, January 26, 2023, at Quiet Oaks Hospice House, St. Cloud.
Peter was born on September 15, 1952, to John Leo Matter and Carolyn Jane (Colvin) Matter in St. Cloud.
Peter grew up on the south side of St. Cloud attending Garfield Elementary School, South Junior High School and Tech High School where he graduated in 1971 (as part of the first class split between Tech and Apollo High School). While in school, he was an excellent student, played violin and was a multi-sport athlete. He excelled at tennis, playing on the high school varsity team starting in junior high. He attended St. Cloud State College (now University) and graduated with a mathematics major, business and computer science minors, and secondary education certification. He continued playing tennis throughout college and for many years thereafter. Along with tennis, Peter also enjoyed racquetball, golf, croquet, bocce ball, jarts (when it was still an acceptable backyard activity), cribbage, 500, and even Flickin’ Chicken! He loved the spirit of competition and the company of friends and family having fun together.
On June 27, 1975, Peter married Doris Dittberner whom he met in 7th grade math class at South Junior High. Two weeks later they moved to Australia for a two-year “honeymoon” teaching in Brisbane. Travel throughout Australia, New Zealand, and the Solomon Islands, scuba diving and tennis filled all holidays and weekends.
In 1977 Peter and Doris returned to St. Cloud, and he started his long career at M & H Appliance doing deliveries and part-time sales. Eventually he bought his father’s share in the store’s partnership and remained co-owner for the next 42 years, retiring in 2018. Through partner transitions, showroom expansions, a significant fire and a major relocation, the store remained successful. Many called Peter the heart and soul of the business. Like his father, he was the epitome of the traditional Maytag man: strong, dependable and worth every penny.
During his work career and in retirement, Peter was committed to the St. Cloud community, serving on the United Cerebral Palsy of Central Minnesota Board, the Stearns History Museum Board, and as an active volunteer with the St. Cloud All-City Marching Band, the Veterans Administration and Anna Marie’s Alliance (Women’s Domestic Violence Shelter). The Covid pandemic and deteriorating health limited his community involvement in his final years, but he was always available to help a neighbor, friend or family member with home projects or questions about appliances.
Throughout his life, Peter’s friendly, outgoing personality endeared him to fellow students, employees, customers, neighbors and extended family. He connected with people everywhere. He and Doris took almost annual cruises, most of them with his sister Pat and her husband Peter F. The shared laughs and adventures will never be forgotten. Lifelong friends in Australia, Ohio, Arizona, Rochester, Minneapolis, St. Cloud and our beloved Fernwood neighborhood enriched his life and made wonderful memories for all. And, of course, his children and grandchildren brought him great pride and boundless joy.
Peter is survived by his wife of 47 years, Doris; daughters Emily Kim Matter (USCG, Boston); Katelyn Rose Tufte (Justin Tufte), granddaughters Penelope Rose and Esme Flora Tufte, San Diego; sister Patricia Mellen (Peter F.), Poughkeepsie NY; brother William (Jane), Tucson AZ; sister- and brothers-in-law, Paulette and Ed Spoon, Verona WI; Duane Dittberner, Forest Lake MN; nieces Emma Spoon (Shane Steele), Sarah Dittberner, nephews Matthew Mellen (Meghan), John A. Matter (Rachel), Erik Matter (Julia); and Evan Spoon. He was pre-deceased by his parents and sister-in-law Judy Gillett Dittberner.
A Celebration of Life program will be held at 5:00 pm on Monday, February 27, 2023, at Benson Funeral Home in St. Cloud. A reception and social time will follow from 6:00 to 8:00 pm at the funeral home. A private inurnment ceremony at Saint John’s Abbey Cemetery, Collegeville MN, will follow at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in Peter’s name are preferred and will be used to endow an academic, arts and athletic scholarship at Tech High School in St. Cloud.
TO VIEW LIVE STREAM OF SERVICE PLEASE CLICK ON THE "VIDEO TRIBUTE" LINK BELOW. THE LINK WILL NOT BE ACTIVE TILL 10 MINUTES PRIOR TO SERVICE TIME.
THE LINK WILL BE ADDED THE MORNING OF FEBRUARY 27, 2023 |
Click here to view a video tribute. |
| |
Send your condolences
Benson Funeral Home invites you to use the form below to share your memories and offer
your sympathy to the family of the deceased. We will be honored to pass them along.
|
Send flowers
Click Here for a list of local florists.
|
|
|
