Elsie B. Mathewson, 93, of Seneca, KS., died January 1, 2003, at the Midland Hospice Center, in Topeka, KS. She had led an active life before she had a heart attack, in November 2002.

She was born January 11, 1909, on a farm east of Seneca, the thirteenth of fourteen children of Louis and Anna Luckeroth Becker. Elsie's mother died when she was three years old. She graduated from Sts. Peter & Paul High School in Seneca, in 1926. She taught school for two years in 1927-28, and worked a year for George Springer in the Variety Store, in Seneca.

On May 7, 1930, she married Paul R. Mathewson, at Sts. Peter & Paul Church, at Seneca. They farmed from 1930 to 1949, before moving into Seneca, to operate a restaurant and nightclub known as "Paul's Place," until 1959. Elsie worked at the Lierz Men's Wear in Seneca, for 12 years; and then she and Paul, took over the operation of their liquor store, in 1966.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Paul on August 28, 1978; and a son, Terrance M. Mathewson on July 8, 1992.

After working with the public for 33 years, she retired and sold her home and business on Highway 36, in 1983. She continued to live there until 1993, when she moved into a new home.

She was a member of Sts. Peter & Paul Church, St. Ann's Altar Society at the church, the Nemaha Valley Community Hospital Guild, of which she was an organizer and longtime member of a fund raiser, the NV Hospital Bridge & Pitch Club, the Earle W. Taylor Post #21 of the American Legion Auxiliary, and several bridge and other card clubs.

In 2001, when they celebrated their 60th anniversary, she was honored as the only surviving charter member of the Q.A.F. Club ( a club for women who originally all lived in the area south-east of Seneca). She enjoyed poetry, piecing quilts, was an NFL football fan and watched games on TV. Elsie always had an open house for all her relatives and friends. She liked to have fun.

Survivors are three sons: William P. "Bill" Mathewson of Manhattan, KS., Wayne A. Mathewson of Howe, TX., Richard L. "Dick" Mathewson of Cleveland, MO.; a daughter, Kay L. Fangman of Topeka; fifteen grandchildren; and 23 great-grandchildren.

Besides her husband and son, she was preceded in death by seven brothers: Leo, Roy, Clarence, Alvin, "Pat" (Lawrence), Art, and Harvey Becker; and six sisters: Alma Becker, Rose Gress, Leona Haefele, Clara Rogers, Stella Koelzer, and Edith Roche.

The rosary was prayed at the Lauer Funeral Home, on Thursday afternoon, by St. Ann's Altar Society, and a prayer service was conducted by Sr. Mary Ellen, in the evening. The mass of Christian burial was offered on Friday afternoon, by Fr. Roderic Giller, O.S.B., at Sts. Peter & Paul Church, in Seneca. The burial was in the church cemetery.