Elizabeth “Betty” Ann Matt

Elizabeth “Betty” Ann Matt, beloved wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother passed away at the age of 84 at Emplify Health, West Union, Iowa on Friday, January 16, 2026.

Betty was born on November 29, 1941, to Anton and Julia (Langreck) Steinlage in Auburn Township in Fayette County, Iowa. She graduated as the salutatorian from St. Luke’s Catholic High School in St. Lucas, Iowa.

Betty worked at home after graduation until she met Albert, her husband at Inwood Ballroom in Spillville, IA. Betty and Albert could really dance a good dance, and they passed this onto their children. Betty was united in marriage with Albert Matt on June 21, 1961, at St. Luke’s Catholic Church in St. Lucas, Iowa and their marriage was blessed with six children.

Betty was a homemaker (a true home engineer), farm wife and worked at Prairieview Care Facility in Fayette, Iowa for twenty years before she retired. She was a member of St. Peter’s Catholic Church and Rosary Society, Clermont Historical Society and served on the board of directors for a local food pantry. Many will remember Betty as one of the hardest working women you’d ever meet, as she was truly involved in every aspect of farming and had multiple gardens, which became delicious, canned food the family consumed all year long. This delicious food was made into numerous recipes, as she loved collecting recipes and cookbooks and Betty lovingly shared with so many in the family and community. Even at age 84, she insisted on cooking and baking almost daily and she still had a garden and many flowers, so everything pollinated well. Gardening, sewing and reading were some of her other loves and she willingly passed along these skills or a good book to others, as she was a lifelong learner and teacher. She absolutely loved her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren, yet her home was always filled with other kids or adults in the neighborhood and extra places were always set at the table, as she gave back to so many. She became an “Honorary Mom and Grandma” to countless individuals in the community.

While giving back to so many, Betty also took precious time to send a handwritten greeting card for birthdays, anniversaries, holidays, health and loss events. She truly cared about her family, friends and loved ones. She was extremely frugal by upcycling, recycling, repurposing, stretching or composting every item she purchased or was given. She taught her family “Sustainability and Regenerative Ag” before these became industry missions.

Betty had a real sense of humor and could tell or enjoy a joke (even a little spicy one) and shared many laughs with family and friends. She loved her German heritage and reconnected with her German relatives in the early 1990s, maintaining strong relationships yet to this day, as she can fluently speak German.

Betty loved her beautiful jewelry and wore such classy colorful outfits, so we encourage you to wear a favorite piece of jewelry or colorful clothing to the funeral or when you visit Albert in the coming days in honor of Betty, our generous and giving angel in heaven.

  Surviving Betty are her husband, Albert Matt of Clermont, Iowa; children, Steven (Laura) Matt of Clermont, Thomas (Ann) Matt of Elgin, Iowa, Susie (Roger) Henkels of Farmersburg, Iowa, Linda Slusher of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Mary (Scott Berget) Williams of Hudson, Wisconsin and John Matt of Postville, Iowa; grandchildren, Sarah (Jeremy Tempkin) Matt, Dalton Matt, Dallas (Christina) Matt. Lindsey (Kory Nefzger) McDowell, Alyssa (Tyler) Krob, Timothy Henkels, Collin Henkels, Zachary Slusher, Brittany (Quentin) Mendlik, Andrew (Ida Dirkes) Williams and Brady (Ashley) Williams; two great-grandchildren, Blake Nefzger and Avery Mendlik; siblings, Florian (Leona) Steinlage, Tony Steinlage and Nicky (Dorothy) Steinlage; and in-laws, Margaret Steinlage, Corrina Steinlage, Doris Wagner, Arthur (Laura) Matt, Mary Helen (Arlo) Schmitt, Robert (Evy) Matt, Loretta (Tom) Conrey, Dennis Rear and Jeanine Matt.

Betty was preceded in death by her parents, Anton and Julia Steinlage; great-grandchild, baby Williams; her siblings, Rosie (John) Bouska, Ferdie Steinlage, Leo Steinlage, Herman Steinlage and Fran Matt; brothers-in-law, Kenneth Wagner and Ralph Matt; and a sisters-in-law, Carla Rear and Monica Steinlage.

A Memorial Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 am with a visitation from 9:00 am to 11:00 am on Friday, January 23, 2026, at St. Peter’s Catholic Church in Clermont, Iowa with Rev. Ralph Davis as the celebrant.

Inurnment will be held at a later date.

Schutte-Grau Funeral Home and Cremation Service of Clermont, Iowa is assisting the family will services.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Peter’s Catholic Cemetery or your local community food pantry to help the food insecure.

Click here to visit the Schutte-Grau Funeral Home website.