Rebecca Matthews | ||
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| Rebecca A. Matthews, age 58, of Grand Island, NE, formerly of Shenandoah, IA, and Lincoln, NE, passed away on October 19, 2009 in Grand Island.
Rebecca Alice Matthews, the younger of two daughters of Mary Alice (Washburn) Matthews and Dale Edward Matthews, was born on October 6, 1951 in Omaha, Nebraska. Rebecca had a musical gift that brought pleasure to many people throughout her life. She grew up in Shenandoah, Iowa and graduated from Shenandoah High School in 1969. A series of illnesses began after high school preventing her from pursuing a hoped for musical career. Despite her medical challenges, she continued her studies. She studied music at Nebraska Wesleyan for two years. She then worked as a nurse’s aide at Grape Community Hospital in Hamburg, Iowa for four years. Rebecca then attended Tarkio College in Missouri, graduating with high honors with a degree in psychology. Following graduation, she enrolled in the Lincoln School of Commerce and graduated as a medical secretary. Rebecca was married to Kent Krause from 1981 to 1985. She was a long time resident of Lincoln, Nebraska. As Rebecca’s health declined, she took up residence at Beverly Health Care in Fullerton, Nebraska. She later transferred to the Gold Crest Retirement Center in Adams, Nebraska. While at Gold Crest, Rebecca acted as the resident pianist and played in the chapel and at special events. She moved to Golden Living in Grand Island, Nebraska, where she passed away on October 19, 2009. During Rebecca’s final years, her cousin Rob Washburn of Hastings, Iowa, served as her guardian. The staff and residents at Golden Living became Rebecca’s extended family. Her final days were made easier by Acera Hospice in Grand Island. She was preceded in death by her mother, Mary Alice Matthews. Rebecca is survived by her father, Dale E. Matthews, and his wife, Clara Jane Matthews, of Shenandoah, Iowa; by her sister, Nancy Matthews Borchert, and her husband, Jim Borchert, of Fort Collins, Colorado; and by her aunts, her uncle, several cousins and her dear friends. Memorials suggested to: Golden Living Center 610 North Darr Grand Island, NE 68803 Interment in the Emerson Cemetery. | ||