Orval E. Matthes

Orval Matthes, 91, of Watertown, SD, and formerly of South Shore, SD, passed away on Monday, April 27, 2026, at Jenkins Living Center in Watertown, SD. Funeral Services will be at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, April 30, 2026, at St. Martin's Lutheran Church in Watertown. Rev. Paul Kuckhahn will officiate. The service will be livestreamed via our website.

Visitation will be at the St. Martin's Lutheran Church in Watertown on Thursday starting at 10:00 a.m.

Burial will be at Mt. Hope Cemetery in Watertown. Military graveside honors will be conducted by Codington County Post #17 of the American Legion, Watertown, and the Military Funeral Honors Team of the SD Army National Guard. Active pallbearers will be Jim Phelps, Doug McManigal, Arnie Haan and Brian Oftdahl.

Orval Edwin Matthes was born on November 3, 1934, on the family farm in South Shore, SD, to Edwin and Lydia (Mandler) Matthes. Orval graduated from South Shore High School, where he enjoyed playing football and running track for the Comets. He later served two years in the Army, stationed at Fort Polk, Louisiana.

Orval married Carol Mary Skells on October 2nd, 1959 in Mitchell, SD. They made their home there for many years and adopted two children, Robert Charles, and Susan Marie. As a family, they enjoyed camping and fishing. 

Orval started working for Tessier Sheet Metal in 1959 and stayed there for 38 years, before retiring in 1997. He was highly regarded for his strong work ethic and loyalty, and shared stories from the jobs he worked long after he retired.

He enjoyed fishing and hunting. He took pleasure in gardening, especially in retirement, and tried his hand at competition-sized pumpkins and sunflowers. He enjoyed making popcorn balls at Christmas and loved a good rhubarb crisp, with his recipe appearing in the South Shore Centennial Cookbook. He was always ready for a game of cards, especially pinochle. He loved helping the South Shore community and was often the go-to handyman for anyone in need.

Orval was a caring and sincere man, and had quite a sense of humor.  He was known for sharing a daily joke with his fellow residents at 200 Maple Place during mealtimes. He also took pleasure in reading military history and watching hockey. When asked what music he would like to hear, he would respond, “Play something by Porter Wagoner.”

He was a man of strong conviction and deep faith, serving his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ at several churches throughout his life, from Zion Lutheran Church in Mitchell, SD, to Our Saviors Lutheran Church in South Shore, SD. Orval lived a full life and left a lasting impression on everyone he met. 

He is survived by his son Robert (Niki) Matthes of Newton, IA; daughter Susan Kobat of Watertown, SD; brother Harlan (Rita) Matthes, of Lakeland Shores, MN; sisters Betty (preceded in death by her husband, Dick) Jackson of Circle Pines, MN; June (preceded in death by her husband, Richard) Schaack of Watertown, SD; and Lois (Robert) Brown, of MN; five grandchildren:  Cassandra Matthes, of St. Paul, MN; Lucas (Tiffany) Kobat, of Watertown, SD; Grace Matthes, of St. Paul, MN; Kayla Kobat, of Chicago, IL; and Emersyn Gross, of Newton, IA; four great grandchildren; Ariah, Brooks, Hudson, and Penelope Kobat, of Watertown, SD; and numerous nieces; nephews; friends and family.

 He was preceded in death by his parents, Edwin and Lydia Matthes; his wife, Carol Matthes, sister Marlys Larsen, and infant sister, Janet Matthes.

Arrangements by Crawford-Osthus Funeral Chapel www.crawfordosthus.com Watertown and Hayti

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