Elaine Ann (Kuchar) Matthews, age 81, passed away at Bay Harbor Assisted Living in DeForest, WI on June 14, 2025.

Elaine was born on May 23, 1944, in Dodgeville, WI to Donald Francis Kuchar and Gertrude Cecilia McGill. She graduated from Iowa Grant High School in 1962 and moved to Madison where she began her working career as a secretary for the State of Wisconsin.

She married Harry Keith Matthews on November 30, 1963. They moved to DeForest in 1966 to raise their family. Elaine worked at Demco for a while before embarking on an almost 40 year run at the Bakke Chiropractic Clinic as a receptionist.

Elaine enjoyed spending time with her family and friends. She was an adoring “cat mom” and spoiled her boys rotten! She could shop until you dropped and was always on the hunt for a bargain! She was a big supporter of DeForest Norskies football and loved her Badgers and Green Bay Packers too. Elaine will be missed by all who knew and loved her.

She is survived by her children, Mary Joy (Scott) Dillenbeck, Joel (Jennifer) Matthews and Jay (Christine) Matthews; three grandchildren, Ben Matthews, Julia Matthews and Hayden Matthews; her brother-in-law, Tom Thomas (Mary Ann) and sister-in-law, Carol Matthews (Bill); several cousins; many nieces and nephews and great nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, infant daughter Joleen Ann, her sister Mary Joan Flannery and brother-in-law Jim Flannery, as well as her husband’s parents and brothers and sisters.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Olaf’s Catholic Church, 623 Jefferson St., DeForest, WI on Friday, July 11, 2025 at 11:00 AM. Visitation will be at St. Olaf’s before the Mass from 10:00 to 11:00 AM.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to 9 Lives Rescue, The Dane County Humane Society or your favorite animal charity. Elaine loved animals of all kinds!

Special Thanks to the staff at Bay Harbor of DeForest who cared for Elaine this past year, Agrace Hospice care; especially nurse Payton and her dear friends that visited.

To view her obituary or leave a memory, please visit: www.ryanfuneralservice.com.

Ryan Funeral Home & Cremation Services

Windsor/DeForest Chapel

6924 Lake Road

608-846-4250

Elaine Matthews

May 23, 1944 - June 14, 2025

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