Melissa Matthes

Melissa (Weeks) Matthes was born in Leavenworth, KS on October 1, 1940 to Harry B. Ola (Pridgeon) Weeks. She grew up in Leavenworth with her sister, Linda Blust brother, H.B. Weeks. She married Dick Matthes on June 4, 1961 after spending the first 5 years of their marriage in the U.S. Navy, Dick Melissa moved back to KS settling in Wichita. Melissa died in the memory care facility at the Catholic Care Center on Sunday, August 9, 2015. In addition to Dick, she is survived by her 3 children, Mendie Vicin of Wichita, Melanie (Rob) Green of Hutchinson, KS, Mark (Heidi) Matthes of Des Moines, IA; grandchildren, Megan (Ryan) Smith, Ashley, Tyler Vicin, all of Wichita, Owen, Tess, Haden Green all of Hutchinson, KS, Calvin, Olivia, Chase Elliot Matthes all of Des Moines, IA; great-grandchild, Mollie Ann Smith of Wichita. As with her own children, she was a big part of the lives of her grandchildren was the center of all family get togethers. Melissa was extraordinarily active during her lifetime. In addition to being a wife, mother grandmother, she was always a room mother field trip driver at her childrens schools, a den mother for their scouting activities full time supporter of their athletic, artistic social activities. After her kids were in school full time, she worked as a bookkeeper, first for Paving Contractors Inc. then for the Galicia Medical Research facility. In addition to owning her own antique store for many years, she actively helped restore several notable buildings in Wichita. Those included: The Beechy Mansion which served as the original Wichita Historical Museum. It later became known as “The Inn at the Park,” a bed and breakfast is now owned by Kirstie Alley; The Original Clarence Coleman house in Eastborough she was the home owner in charge of the restoration decoration of the “Symphony Showcase House” located at 3rd Belmont in College Hill. She enjoyed an active community life, serving on the boards of several organizations had a very green thumb. The gardens around her home drew the praises of friends, family neighbors. There is no question that the lives of all who knew her well are better from having had her as a part of them. She will be greatly missed but her memory could be kept fresh by instead of giving to charity or giving flowers in her name, by planting a tree, shrub or flowers in your favorite garden to remember her by. A celebration of life will be held on Saturday, August 29, 2015 at 2:00 P.M. at Downing Lahey Mortuary East.