Donald H. Mateer

Donald Heckman Mateer, 83, of Greeley Colorado, formerly of Crookston and Appleton, Minnesota died Monday, August 29, 2011 at the Hospice and Palliative Care of Northern Colorado inpatient unit at North Colorado Medical Center in Greeley after a short illness. He and his wife had relocated to Greeley in late 2010 from Columbus, Nebraska. Don was born May 7, 1928, in Ortonville, Minnesota to Ernest and Mabel (Slacker) Mateer. He graduated from Appleton High School, Appleton, Minnesota, in 1946 and worked as an auto mechanic before enlisting in the U.S. Air Force on August 19, 1950. He attended mechanics school and became a hydraulics instructor at Sheppard Air Force Base in Wichita Falls, Texas and was honorably discharged with the rank of sergeant on August 18, 1954. During his service he received the good conduct medal and the national defense service medal. On December 27, 1950 Don married Marilyn Elizabeth Meyer in Bird Island, Minnesota. Following his military discharge the couple located in Appleton where he entered partnership in a local auto garage and eventually became the sole owner. The family moved to Crookston in 1968 where he held various occupations before retiring as a property manager for Nimens-Espegard Apartments. He loved fishing, bowling, woodworking, and spending the summers with Marilyn at Upper Red Lake in their trailer. Survivors include his wife; one daughter, Lori (Richard) Thurley of Greeley; two grandchildren, Sara Thurley of Greeley; and Adam Thurley of Lincoln, Nebraska; one brother, Robert of Evans, Georgia; two sisters-in-law, Jean Mateer of Burnsville, Minnesota, and Darlene Meyer of Appleton; and nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; one brother, Ernest Mateer; a brother-in-law, Robert Meyer; and a sister-in-law, Louise Mateer. Arrangements are being handled by Adamson Funeral and Cremation Services, Greeley. There will be no funeral service; a memorial service will be held at a later date. Words of condolence may be sent to: 4902 W 29th St., Unit 18B, Greeley CO 80634.