Vergean Zoe (Nielsen) Matney |
| Posted 2015-09-02 by Gayle Nelson |
| Vergean Zoe Matney, 87, of Dakota Dunes, formerly of South Sioux City and Dakota City, passed away Monday, September 15, 2014, at Matney Colonial Manor, surrounded by her daughters. Services will be 2:30 p.m. Thursday at St. Paul United Methodist Church in South Sioux City, with Justin Taylor and the Rev. Jose Miranda officiating. Visitation will be 5 to 8 p.m. today, with a prayer service at 7 p.m., at the church. Arrangements are under the direction of Becker-Hunt Funeral Home. Vergean was born on February 11, 1927, in Maskell, NE, the daughter of Melvin and Deda (Orr) Nielsen. After graduating from South Sioux City High School, Vergean attended telegraphy school at the Western Union Office in Sioux City. As a certified teletype operator, during World War II, she assigned details in Cincinnati, OH, Detroit, MI, and San Francisco, CA. Immediately upon returning from her last assignment, Vergean married her high school sweetheart and love of her life, Harley Matney, on July 26, 1946, at Holiness Methodist Church in South Sioux City. They were able to celebrate 66 years together. Harley and Vergean had four daughters, Pam, Jaimee, Chris and Shelly. Vergean was a member of St. Paul United Methodist Church in South Sioux City. She modeled her strong faith to her family and others by example. Teaching Sunday School, sewing curtains for the church kitchen, making pies and serving at fundraisers were ways that she put her faith into action. Vergean and Harley lived in Fargo, ND, and Geneseo, IL, as a result of Harley's career in the meat packing industry. When they moved back to South Sioux City, Harly and Vergean co-owned Meat Packers Supply International, where Vergean was the bookkeeper. For the last 30 years, Harley and Vergean have owned Parkview Industries and Mobile Home Court in South Sioux City. Vergean's chosen career was being a good (the best) wife and mother. She was a woman of strong character, wisdom, many skills and great compassion. She touched so many lives with her welcoming, inclusive, fun-loving spirit. Harley and Vergean shared many happy times together bowling, square dancing, fishing, playing cards and just being with family. She was a vital part of supporting the music in her family. Vergean was involved in volunteering, ceramics, sewing, cooking, baking, embroidering, and crocheting. She was the best Grandma ever. Vergean is survived by four daughters and their husbands, Pam (Wally) Ostapoff, Jaimee (Denney) Nutt, Christ (Phil) Ramsey and Shelly (Tom) Bell; 11 grandchildren; 26 great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren; one brother, Kendall Nielsen (Sherry); one sister, Faye Sailors (Ronnie); sister-in-law, Beverly Nielsen; and close friend, Betty Prosser. Vergean was preceded in death by her parents, Melvin and Deda Nielsen; her two brothers, l Llan (Virginia) Nielsen, and Marvin Nielsen; one sister, Carol (Gus) Pappas; brother-in-law, the Rev. Dough Haugen; and in-laws, Edward (Lillie) Matney, Georgetta (Russell) Border, Bonnie (Albert) Hankins and Peggy (Jens) Pedersen. |