Clifford Mathew Matta,93, of West Point, IA, passed away at 5:20 a.m. on Sunday, December 13, 2020 at the West Point Care Center.He was born on September 23, 1927 in Wadena County, MN to Matt H. & Jennie A. Ohlgren Matta.Cliff was proud of his Finnish Heritage, as Finnish was his first language and he had to be taught English in a country school.He married Arleen V. Kinnunen on July 23, 1949 in Menahga, MN.He started in 1949 with the Santa Fe Railroad as a telegraph & teletype operator and retired as a train dispatcher with 42 years of service.He served in the U.S. Army Air Corps during WWII and was proud that he was able to go on an Honor Flight.He was a member of St. Paul Lutheran Church and served on the church council and was the financial secretary.He also served on the property & memorial committees.He was a member of the Fort Madison Area Art Association, North Lee County Historical Society, Fort Madison Area Ostomy Support Group and supported Old Fort Players.He was a past member of the Fort Madison Eagles Club & Moose Lodge.He enjoyed traveling, concerts, playing music, plays, playing cards, feeding & watching birds and working in his flower garden.He especially enjoyed spending time with his family, especially his grandchildren & great grandchildren.
Cliff is survived by: his wife: Arleen Matta of West Point, IA; 2-daughters: Verla (Chuck) Tanner of Fort Madison, IA & Debra (Mark) Dougherty of Urbandale, IA; 3-grandchildren: Amy (Brian) McCarty of Kirksville, MO, Mathew (Jessica) Tanner of Washington, IL & Nathan (Rachel) Matta of Waukee, IA; 5-great grandchildren: Haley McCarty, Lauren & Carson Tanner, Mia McCarty & Mariel Matta. He was preceded in death by his parents, 4-sisters & 3-brothers.
Cremation has been entrusted to the care of King-Lynk Funeral Home & Crematory. A memorial service will be held at a later date at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Fort Madison. Burial will be held at Meadow Apostolic Cemetery in Menahga, MN. A memorial has been established for St. Paul Lutheran Church and memorials may be sent to: Verla Tanner, 22 Cindy Drive, Fort Madison, IA 52627. Online condolences to Cliff’s family may be left at the King-Lynk Funeral Home & Crematory website: www.kinglynk.com.