Rhoda Mae Birchen

Rhoda Mae (Matsch) Birchen Age 93, died on February 7, 2021. Rhoda was preceded in death by husband Paul; parents Louis B. and Mildred (Setley) Matsch; brothers Loran, Kenneth, Louis J., Robert, Charles and James Matsch and sister Dorothy Lenz. She is survived by children Lola Ling, Bill (Dorreen) Birchen and Lisa Birchen; grandchildren Paul (Kate) Birchen and Susan (Taylor) Jones; great grandchildren Oliver, Remy & Torin Jones and Will & Theodore Birchen; and siblings John Matsch and Karen Matsch. Rhoda Mae Matsch Birchen was born January 21, 1928 in Hastings, where she lived her entire life. She was the sixth of Louie and Millie Matsch’s ten children. As a teenager during World War II, Rhoda volunteered as an airplane spotter. Following her graduation from high school in 1945, she worked at the draft office, typing soldiers’ discharge papers. After her marriage to Paul in 1946, Rhoda’s career was that of full time wife, homemaker and mother. She was dedicated to these life-long roles and worked hard to create a warm, loving and peaceful home for her family. She was the “woman behind the man,” supporting Paul on the home front as he built his business and worked long hours. She managed the household and cooked three meals a day. When the kids were growing up, there were always homemade treats to welcome them home at the end of a school day. Rhoda and Paul instilled in their children the values of honesty, integrity and hard work. Rhoda loved being a grandma and allowed the grandchildren to jump on the bed and stay up until midnight when they were little and slept over. “Grandma B” was also a loving great-grandmother to the youngest generation of her family and she loved to hold and rock the babies. During their 67 years of marriage, Rhoda and Paul enjoyed travel, Sunday drives, dining out at “supper clubs,” and sharing a quiet life at home. Over the years, Rhoda hosted many family events and holidays, where she made everyone feel special and welcome. Rhoda’s many volunteer activities through St. Boniface Church included liturgy planning, serving as a communion minister, designing church bulletin covers (which sometimes featured poems she had written) and teaching religious education classes for children. She was also a member of The Daughters of Isabella. Rhoda enjoyed conversation and often shared memories of her years growing up during the Great Depression and of the characters she had encountered during her life. She espoused the philosophy of the hymn “Brighten the Corner Where You Are” in that she was drawn to those in need and always made time to visit a shut-in, take an elderly neighbor to the doctor, or show up with food for a family going through a difficult time. In her later years, it was important to Rhoda that she remain in the home she had so lovingly created. Her family is grateful to Morning Glory Home Care and Grace Hospice for their roles in making that possible and for the care, support and kindness they provided. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, there will be a private graveside service for immediate family members only. Memorials to Hastings Family Service or Caring & Sharing Hands are preferred.