Update of Sue and Raymond Matz within the Tribe of Delroy, 2025

It has been 25 years since the above entry was written.  I am now 69 years old and often reflect with gratitude on my incredible family and heritage.  I play a hymn Sunday morning on the organ and see my precious dad leading our congregation full of relatives, praising our Lord and Savior. I remember the encouragement of aunts and uncles that were part of my growing up years.   How fortunate we were to be raised in a family of grandparents, aunts and uncles of strong faith that showed us what it meant to be a follower of God through words and the way they lived their lives. I can’t imagine living in this crazy world without this wonderful foundation of faith and hope for eternity.

I grew up in Alpha, Wisconsin, five miles east of Grantsburg. My dad, Delroy, managed the feed mill and did the book work for Burnett Dairy.  My husband, Raymond, says I grew up in the last of “Leave it to Beaver” perfection. A stable, loving home filled with fun, games, music, sports, many extended family gatherings and of course church at least three times a week. Being the youngest of four I am accused of being spoiled, however, I say I was just the easiest and best behaved child so received those extra favors.  I couldn’t have asked for a better home to grow up in.

After high school I attended Bethel College where I graduated with a double major in math and business.  I also began organ lessons my junior year at  Bethel. I started playing the organ at Cross of Glory Baptist church my senior year of college and continue to play organ there today.    I began working at Northwestern National Bank of Hopkins  after graduation.  That became a career of 34 years. In 1984  I met Raymond Matz who worked at the bank in the Bloomington office. We began dating and were married June 27th, 1987 on my Mom’s 64th birthday. My dear Dad, Delroy, nearly passed away that year in April as he spent 2 weeks in intensive care at Abbott hospital.  Our wedding was certainly a celebration of our love but also gratitude for the blessing of what was to be five more years with dad.  We purchased a home in Minnetonka in 1987 and continue to live there today.

Raymond and I both continued working at the bank; I managed the Hopkins location and Raymond worked in mortgage.  We were blessed with two children; Rachel Elizabeth born in 1988 and Steven Eugene born in 1991. After my dad passed away in 1992 we reevaluated our lives and I went part time as a Market Support analyst and consultant in order to spend more time with the kids.  Raymond found his niche in mortgage and was often more of an advisor/counselor, helping people understand the financial aspects of buying a home and the implications on their lives.   We are thankful for our years with the kids at home and the blessings of many great times together. I retired in 2012 from the bank which gave me the chance to spend more time volunteering at church. I continue to work in women’s ministries; facilitating bible studies, working with the widows and leading a mentoring program for women needing support. Raymond retired from the bank in June of 2023. We have been blessed with three grandchildren and they occupy a big part of our schedule.  We are thankful for 38 years of marriage, a wonderful family, a church home since 1977 and the friendship of many through the years.