Matt Andera

Wednesday, March 28, 2018 1:49 pm

Matt Andera, 92, of rural Calmar, died Monday, March 26, 2018, at the Ossian Senior Hospice in Ossian. Mass of Christian Burial was at 10:30 a.m., Monday, April 2, at St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church in Spillville, with Rev. Robert Gross and Rev. Donald Hawes officiating. Lectors were Brett Bohlman and Ashley Brock. Offertory gift bearers were Amy and Josi Andera. Organist was Jeanette Dietzenbach. Soloist was Dan Silhacek. Hymns were “Here I Am Lord,” “Ave Maria,” “Eagles Wings,” “Goin Home” and “Battle Hymn of the Republic.” The St. Wenceslaus Choir also sang at the Mass. Casket bearers were Matt’s grandsons. Military rites were by Spillville American Legion, Clarence Bily Post No. 467, U.S Army. Interment was at St. Wenceslaus Catholic Cemetery in Spillville. Arrangements were handled by Schluter-Balik Funeral Home.

Matt Paul Andera was born Aug. 20, 1925, the son of Albert and Frances (Humpal) Andera on the farm near Spillville. He was 8th of 13 children. He attended St. Wenceslaus Catholic School. Matt worked on the family farm until being drafted by the United States Army in 1945. While in the Army, Matt served in the Philippines. He returned home in 1947, and continued to farm with his family. Matt married Darlene Samec Aug. 27, 1957, at the Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Protivin. Together they had six children: John, Janice, Jerald, Judy, Joyce and Joe. Matt was an avid reader and he enjoyed dancing, bird watching and gardening; but his true passion was for fishing. He taught his grandchildren the joy of fishing in his pond and at nearby trout streams. He was a member of St. Wenceslaus Holy Name and Clarence Billy Legion Post 467, Spillville.

Matt is survived by his wife, Darlene; six children: John Andera, Calmar; Janice (Doug) Brock, Storm Lake; Jerald (Sandra) Andera, Calmar; Judy (Steve) Lechtenberg, Ft. Atkinson; Joyce (Chad) Kucera, Waukon; and Joe (Jacki) Andera, Riceville; grandchildren: Brandon (Ashley) Brock, Danielle (Brett) Bohlman, Derek (Emma) Brock, Brian (Alathia) Andera, Megan and Amy Andera, Ryan, Michelle, Daniel and Jessica Lechtenberg, Mariah, Rachel and Logan Kucera, Devyn, Alyssa, Alex and Josi Andera; great-grandchildren: Bryndalyn, Barrett, Andryk, Adrian, Bennett, Jaxson, Ava and Trace; brother, Lawrence Andera, Decorah; sisters-in-law: Doris Andera, Ft. Atkinson; Mary Ann Andera, Protivin; Janet Andera, Cresco; Bonnie Samec, Manley and Delores (Kenneth) Nehl, New Hampton; brother-in-law, James Soukup, Decorah.

Matt was preceded in death by his parents, Albert and Frances (Humpal) Andera; sisters: Adella (Carl) Peterson, Frances (Leonard) Hageman, Marcella (Edward) Hayek and Mary Soukup; brothers: Edward (Helen) Andera, Albert (Grace) Andera, Louis Andera, Frank (Georgina) Andera, Cyril Andera in infancy, William Andera and Robert Andera; father and mother-in-law, Alois and Adella (Hosek) Samec; brothers-in-law, Virgil (Marlene) Samec and Jerome Samec.
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