Melba R. (Larson) Matson

Melba Rose (Larson) Matson, 94, former thirty-year teacher in Monmouth, IL, passed away on Saturday, January 11, 2025, at the MercyOne North Iowa Medical Center. A private funeral service, A Celebration of Melba’s Life & Faith will be held at Major Erickson Funeral Home in Mason City, Iowa. Interment will be held in the Warren County Memorial Park Cemetery, Monmouth, IL. Memorials may be made to the First Lutheran Church, 116 South B Street, Monmouth, IL 61462.  

Melba was born on January 30, 1930, to C.O. Virgil and Eunice Rosalie (Fahlund) Larson in Monmouth, IL. Melba attended the local schools and graduated from Monmouth High School in 1948. She received her B.A. degree in Education and Art from Monmouth College, with the classes of 1952 and 1966; her M.S.in Ed degree from Western Illinois University in 1970, with additional study at Purdue University, the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, and the University of London, England.

In high school, Melba first started working in her father’s furniture store, in the office of Bowman Shoe Stores, Maple City Dairy office, in the Monmouth Hospital and the Review Atlas during school and vacations. 

 Melba married the love of her life Robert Theodore Matson on June 22, 1950, in the First Lutheran Church in Monmouth, they became parents of John Robert Matson, deceased; Jane Carol (Dr. Phillip) Lee of Mason City, IA; and Theodore Alan (Michelle Blank) Matson of Oro Valley, Arizona. 

Her teaching career began in rural schools in Henderson and Warren Counties, then as the reading teacher and special reading coordinator for Monmouth schools. The program received national recognition, after more Title One teachers were added to each elementary school. Her late husband, Robert, also a teacher, and Melba together received a Human Service Award from the Illinois Education Association and participated in school evaluations in the state.

Melba also taught Sunday School as Primary Superintendent and in summer Bible School at First Lutheran church in Monmouth. Melba also sang in the choir and as a soloist at age three, played violin solos and duets, and served as president with Bob for the church couple’s group. In her community, she played violin in the Messiah at Monmouth College, and in other local orchestras, served on the city PTA council and as President of the Garfield PTA. Bob and Melba began the petition for the first swimming pool at Citizens Lake of the citizens’ committee, while Bob was on the City Council. She was named Woman of the Year by a Monmouth women’s group.

Outside of teaching, Melba had many interests, she was an accomplished artist & painter as she graduated with an Art major, accomplished violin player, always loved to travel, especially the family trip to Normandy, France for the 50th Anniversary of the D-Day invasion where Bob was featured on the CBS Evening News. Another beloved trip was a 50th wedding anniversary family gift, an Inland Passage Alaska cruise. Throughout their 70 years together, Melba & her husband Bob traveled to Canada, Mexico, Bahamas, England, Sweden, Denmark, Norway, Germany, Switzerland and in Austria, as guests of the Ambassador Chapmans in Vienna at the United Nations. Melba especially enjoyed her Faith, the many wonderful times spent with her beloved family, students, people, travel, and laughter. In Monmouth, Melba was a member of Alpha Chapter of Kappa Kappa Gamma Sorority, and participated in initiation day as her daughter, Jane became a member. Melba & Bob purchased Wyatt Earp Birthplace in Monmouth & established a nonprofit historic museum in 1986. 

Family was so important to Melba & Bob, especially becoming grandparents of six & later great-grandparents of seven. They attended baseball, basketball, football games, swimming events cheering on grandchildren & teams whether in person or following on live steam via computer or iPad! All gatherings were full of laughter & joy whether they were birthday celebrations, fireworks & sparklers, fishing at the family lake cabin or watching the riverboats on the Mississippi at their home. 

 Melba was a wonderful mom, mother-in-law, grandma & great-grandmother (GiGi) to her family. She was known for her beautiful blue eyes and kindness. Family was so important to Melba. The Matsons bought and restored homes, as well as Wyatt Earp’s Birthplace Home in Monmouth 1986, and with Earp relatives, they started the nonprofit historic Wyatt Earp Birthplace, Inc house museum corporation. They donated the home, listed on the National Register of Historic Places, to the museum in 2017.

 Grandchildren are Dr. John (Britta Ann) Lee of Mason City, Iowa; Dr. Daniel (Cassie) Lee of Mason City, IA; Dr. Mark (Ally) Lee of Mankato, MN; Madison Matson of Oxnard, CA; Wyatt Matson of Oro Valley, AZ; Lucy Matson of Cincinnati, Ohio. Great- Grandchildren are Jack and Henry Lee, Mason City, IA; Kennedy, Weston and Brynn, Mankato, MN; Claire and Audrey Rose, Mason City, IA., survived along with her brother, Dr. Alan (Sarah Smith) Larson of Dunwoody, GA, and many nieces, nephews, and cousins. She is also survived by her sister-in-law, Norma Matson, Loda, IL and childhood friends Mary & Roger Strand.

 Her parents, Eunice and Virgil, 1945 and 1980; husband, Robert, 2018; and son, John, 1975, preceded her in death.

To view the livestream the service please click the following link:  Melba Matson Funeral Service