March 22, 2024
Barbara Lynn Mathwig, 66, passed away March 22 at her home in Brownton surrounded by her family. Visitation will be 5-8 p.m. Friday, April 5, with funeral service at 11 a.m. Saturday, April 6, at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Brownton.
Barbara Lynn was born Aug. 25, 1957, in Arlington to Gerhard and Lorna (Reinitz) Jahr. Her faith journey began when she was baptized into Christ on Sept. 15, 1957, at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church. She attended St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran School, where she completed kindergarten through eighth grade. On April 4, 1971, Barb was confirmed in her faith. She graduated from Arlington-Green Isle High School in 1975.
On June 12, 1976, Barb was united in marriage to the love of her life, Mark Adrian Mathwig, at St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church. Their union was blessed with three children: Jason, Jennifer and Jesse.
Barb embarked on her career path in 1979 when she joined the Sibley County Sheriff’s Office as a dispatcher. In 1980, she and Mark moved to Brownton, where she became a records technician for the Brownton Police Department, a position she held for 43 years, retiring in 2023. Her dedication and passion for public service continued when, in 1988, she began working for the City of Hutchinson. During her time with the city, she worked for the Parks and Recreation department and also the Hutchinson Police Department, serving as a dispatcher and evidence technician. Barb retired from the City of Hutchinson in 2016.
Barb’s true passion in life was her family. She attended every concert, recital, play, game and meet possible to support and cheer for her children and grandchildren. Her dedication to her faith, volunteering and serving others was displayed through the giving of her time at Immanuel Lutheran as Sunday School teacher, alter guild, Stewardship committee, and offering collector along with serving as a board member for McLeod County Historical Society and McLeod County Treatment Program.
Barb’s talents were boundless, particularly in the kitchen where she made many of her family’s favorites. She also enjoyed traveling, gardening, sewing, decorating, genealogy, photography, scrapbooking, and crafting,
Blessed be her memory.
Barb was preceded in death by her parents, Gerhard and Lorna (Reinitz) Jahr; parents in-law, Ernest and Dorothy (Hoppe) Mathwig; brother-in-law, Paul Mathwig.
She is survived by her loving family, husband of 47 years, Mark Mathwig; children, Jason (Rachelle) Mathwig and children, Brynn and Grant, Jennifer (Ryan) Ortloff and children, Taylor, Grace and Matthew, Jesse (Darcie) Mathwig, and children, Blaine, Piper and Grady; siblings, Sharon (Gary) Braun, Lois (Gary) Pichelmann, Allan (Sharon) Jahr, Kenneth (Marsha) Jahr; siblings-in-law, Bonnie (Rich) Tuchtenhagen, Warren Mathwig, Ellerd (Barb) Mathwig, Bruce (Lorinda) Mathwig, John (Althea) Mathwig, Eric (Bev) Mathwig, Ross (Kristina) Mathwig, (Susan) Mathwig; many cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends.
