John Ross Mathews Iii

John Ross Mathews III passed away on October 18, 2018 at Risen Son Christian Village at the age of 90. He was born September 30, 1928 at Swenson Memorial Hospital in Canby, Minnesota to John Ross Mathews II and Clara (Nemitz) Mathews.

John grew up, as an only child, in the Canby area and began his career as a farmer. As a young boy, as he stated he “drove a tractor when he was way too young.” He stated the best toy he ever received as a boy was a bicycle at age 12, and he also had a pony which he enjoyed very much. For pets, he once had a pet fox and also later had a favorite dog named Bonnie. He finished the 8th grade, but then due to his mother developing cancer and his father’s poor health, he took over the family farm which necessitated he drop out from school. He accepted Jesus as his Savior and was baptized November 17, 1946.

At age 24, he was drafted into the Army, making the longest trip of his life, to serve in South Korea. Due to his flat feet, he was placed in the capacity of Army Cook, serving meals for thousands each day. He used to demonstrate how he could crack 4 eggs at a time – and if a few shells fell in, oh well!

Upon his return from South Korea, John married the love of his life, Lois Beattie, on December 26, 1955 at the Antelope Hills Church of Christ parsonage. John farmed and drove a school bus part time. Lois was an elementary school teacher. They were blessed with twin daughters, Debra and Dawn, born 6 weeks prematurely on March 19, 1960. Around 1964 they were able to purchase their farm place near Burr, which became the long-time family home. In 1970, they were blessed with a son, Jason Ross Mathews. John and Lois put the Lord first in their lives, and their dedication to their church was their first priority. John continued to work hard on the farm for many years, both with crops and raising cattle, until retirement. They enjoyed going south to Casa Grande, Arizona, for winters for about 10 years or so.

Between 1987 and 1998, John and Lois were blessed with six grandchildren. John enjoyed making machinery and entertainment for his grandkids around the farm. The grandkids’ favorite activities including riding the three-wheeler, getting pulled in the snow behind the tractor, and riding around in his home-made hayrack “buggy” and riding the go-cart that John built by hand. John loved working in the shop and working with his hands, even after he moved away from the home place. In the early 2000s John and Lois purchased a house in Canby and enjoyed that residence for a few years. He often said this was the thing he missed most about life on the farm. In spring 2008, they made the decision to sell off the farm equipment and the house in town and make the big move to Council Bluffs to be closer to their children. This was a very difficult transition as they left the town they’d always known and their beloved church family and neighbors. Throughout the last 10 years they made 4 moves within the Risen Son Christian Village as their care needs increased. John was always concerned to be the provider and always wanted to plan for the future, and he was very concerned about his wife and his family.

John is survived by his wife, Lois, who resides at Risen Son, his daughter, Debra (Dave) Ludwick of Blair, daughter Dawn (Matt) Burkett of Papillion, son Jason (Connie) Mathews of Grand Island, grandsons, Caleb (Prashansa) and Jon Ludwick, Joshua (Sydney) Mathews, Mark Burkett, and granddaughters, Erin (Mike) Schroeder and Cailey Mathews.

A memorial service will be held Saturday at 2:00 p.m. at the Hoy-Kilnoski Funeral Home. Memorials may be directed to the Antelope Hills Christian Church Building Fund of Canby, Minnesota.