Melissa Weeks Matthes - LHS Class of 1958

Melissa Matthes died in the memory care facility at the Catholic Care Center in Wichita, Kansas on Sunday, August 9, 2015.  She was born in Leavenworth, Kansas on October 1, 1940 to Harry B. and Ola (Pridgeon) Weeks and grew up in Leavenworth with her sister, Linda Blust (LHS Class of 1957) and brother, Harry Weeks (LHS Class of 1962). 
She married Dick Matthes on June 4, 1961 and after spending the first five years of their marriage in the U.S. Navy, Dick and Melissa moved back to Kansas, settling in Wichita. 
In addition to Dick, she is survived by her three children, Mendie Vicin of Wichita, Melanie (Rob) Green of Hutchinson, Kansas, Mark (Heidi) Matthes of Des Moines, Iowa; grandchildren, Megan (Ryan) Smith, Ashley, and Tyler Vicin, all of Wichita; Owen, Tess, and Haden Green all of Hutchinson; Calvin, Olivia, Chase and Elliot Matthes all of Des Moines; and a great-grandchild, Mollie Ann Smith of Wichita.  As with her own children, she was a big part of the lives of her grandchildren and was the center of all family get-togethers. 
Melissa was extraordinarily active during her lifetime. In addition to being a wife, mother and grandmother, she was always a room mother and field trip driver at her children’s schools, a den mother for their scouting activities and full time supporter of their athletic, artistic and social activities. 
After her children were in school full time, she worked as a bookkeeper, first for Paving Contractors Inc. and then for the Galicia Medical Research facility. 
In addition to owning her own antique store for many years, Melissa actively helped restore several notable buildings in Wichita. Those included: The Beechy Mansion which served as the original Wichita Historical Museum. It later became known as “The Inn at the Park,” a bed and breakfast and is now owned by Kirstie Alley; The Original Clarence Coleman house in Eastborough and she was the home owner in charge of the restoration and decoration of the “Symphony Showcase House” located at 3rd & Belmont in College Hill. She enjoyed an active community life, serving on the boards of several organizations.
Melissa had a very green thumb. The gardens around her home drew the praises of friends, family and neighbors. There is no question that the lives of all who knew her well are better from having had her as a part of them. She will be greatly missed but her memory could be kept fresh by instead of giving to charity or giving flowers in her name, by planting a tree, shrub or flowers in your favorite garden to remember her by. 
A celebration of life will be held on Saturday, August 29, 2015 at 2:00 P.M. at Downing & Lahey Mortuary East, Wichita.  You may click HERE to offer your condolences.