Marilyn Elsie Matthews, age 86, of Wisconsin Rapids, passed away Sunday, December 16, 2018 at Atrium Post-Acute Care in Wisconsin Rapids.

Marilyn was born May 31, 1932 in Wisconsin Rapids to Fred and Bertha (Brackmann) Westfall.  She was raised on the family farm in Rudolph, WI and graduated from Rudolph High School in 1950.  She met Gerald L. Matthews at a local dance and they were married on December 28, 1950 in Wisconsin Rapids.  They were happily married for nearly 60 years.  He preceded her in death on September 1, 2010.

Marilyn and Gerald shared an interest in the arts.  Gerald’s art led him to a career as an Imagineer at Walt Disney World in Florida, where Marilyn also worked for a short period of time after the family moved to Florida in 1973.  Marilyn’s main focus, however, was being a full-time caretaker to her daughters, Tangee and Tamee.

Marilyn is survived by one daughter, Tarra Starr Matthews, Richland Center, WI; eight grandchildren: Taressa George, Orlando, FL, Travess Langford, Belleville, IL, Tareena Langford, Longwood, FL, Jeremy Kaschub, Lone Rock, WI, Jasen Kaschub, Blue River, WI, Tiffinee Olson, Ithaca, WI, Jerrod Kaschub, Lime Ridge, WI, and Tarrilyn Kaschub, Richland Center, WI; 16 great-grandchildren; one sister, Zelda Guzman, Wisconsin Rapids; and son-in-law, Bill Langford, Longwood, FL.  She is preceded in death by her parents, husband, Gerald; three daughters: Trudee Langford, Tangee Matthews, and Tamee Matthews; sister, Naomi and her husband, B. Lyle Jacobson; brother, Bradley and his wife, Gloria Westfall; and brother-in-law, Richard Guzman.

Private graveside services will be held at a later date at Forest Hill Cemetery in Wisconsin Rapids.

The family would like to thank Atrium Post-Acute Care for the exceptional care they provided Marilyn these past eight years.

Herman-Taylor Funeral Home is honored to be serving the Matthews family.  For online condolences, please visit www.taylorfuneralhome.net.