Geraldine D. Matthias

Geraldine (Jerry) Matthias, went home to be with the Lord on September 1st, 2022. Jerry just turned 93 and was ready to be home with Jesus and the love of her life for 69 years—her Bill!! In fact Dad appeared to Mom in all white two nights before her passing letting her know it was ok to leave her earthly life!

Jerry was born in Chicago, Illinois on August 29, 1929 to Bruce and Julia Miniat. Jerry was married to Bill Matthias on June 23, 1949. Jerry helped Bill during his undergraduate years at University of Illinois and then also worked while he received his Doctorate of Dentistry at Northwestern University. Jerry stood by Bill’s side as he served our country as a member of the Naval Service during the Korean Conflict. They were stationed in the Aleutian Islands where Bill & Jerry brought their first child, Bill, into the world. Jerry & Bill moved to Denver, Colorado where they completed their family bringing Scott, Debbie & Linda into the world. You don’t always get what you ask for, but Jerry & Bill decided early in their marriage that they like 2 boys and 2 girls in that order. In this case they indeed got what they wanted in that order. After spending years helping Bill through school, Jerry had the most important job of her life, to her the most amazing calling, by raising four wonderful children. She had a huge influence all the way up to the day she went home to be with their Dad. To know Jerry, is to know the world’s biggest Bronco’s fan. The person that would dispute that would be her fellow Bronco fan and deceased husband – Bill. Jerry & Bill were season ticket holders from year one and actually went door to door with their do-ers cards to raise money to save the Broncos and keep them in Denver. It was a true love affair for her team as she hardly ever missed a home game and went to many away games that included 3 Super Bowls and eventually their first winning Super Bowl. It doesn’t stop there for Jerry as her love for sports also included the Colorado Rockies win or lose. Up until the day she passed this life, you could walk down the hall to Jerry’s nursing home room and hear the sound of her Rockies which included, “Rockies Win, Rockies Win, Rockies Win” after an occasional win, just the way that Jerry & Bill would after they watched a win together. Another love of Jerry’s was her love for camping. One of the first thing Jerry & Bill did when they completed their family, was to take out a map to find the closest warm water lake to give their kids their love for lakes. Jerry & Bill grew up in Chicago and vacationed at Lake Michigan as kids themselves. They found Lake McConaughy that was only 237 miles away and for 50 years the memories were endless. Many of these memories with both the Broncos and Lake McConaughy were with Jerry & Bill’s good friends Bill & Nancy Davis and their children Greg & Jeff. Jerry just loved family and the holidays. Jerry & Bill were blessed to have their kids, grandkids and great-grandkids within 30 minutes of them. The family get togethers meant everything to Jerry, and boy did she every like to host big dinners and was an amazing cook. A day that meant the world to Jerry was celebrating her 90th birthday with her husband Bill as they were just 27 days apart. That celebration was the most favorite of Jerry’s life. She had her husband, all of her kids, most of her grandkids and even a few great-grandkids, along with the friends that were the dearest to her all together. Two other passions of Jerry’s life was her love for bowling where she always carried one of the higher averages in any league she bowled in. The other was her love for College Football. When it came time for the NFL draft, many of Jerry’s kids and friends would call her to see what she thought of the Bronco’s draft picks because she knew the college players from watching so much college football which was another love Jerry shared with Bill.

The last year and a half of Jerry’s life was very difficult without Bill as she entered into Hospice for a stint and had to leave because she made an amazing recovery from an illness upon his death. Jerry then was wheeled across the parking lot to Someren Glen skilled nursing facility where she made the most of a difficult situation where she couldn’t do much for herself including not being able to walk. However, Jerry participated in practically every event and was a big-time trooper to make the best of the situation. In fact, just like Jerry & Bill were ambassadors at Quincy Place prior to Bill’s passing—Jerry was also chosen as an ambassador at Someren Glen because of her amazing attitude and zest for life. All in all—Jerry lived a wonderful life of 93 years without any regrets!!!

Jerry has gone home to be with the love of her life. Jerry & Bill were the cutest couple everyone of us strive to be! They were married just shy of 70 years but knew each other for 81 years. Jerry told Bill in the 5th grade when they were 10 years old that she would marry him. She was persistent and the rest as they say was history. The love story now continues. Jerry is now survived by 4 children: William (Bill) Matthias Jr. and his wife Lynn Matthias; Scott Matthias and his wife Lori Matthias; Debbie Johnson; Linda Schwartz and her husband Joe Schwartz. Jerry is also survived by 11 grandchildren: Bill Matthias, Jenny Matthias, Brendan Matthias, Julia (Matthias) Williamson, Daniel Matthias, Brian Johnson, Rachel Johnson, Brad Johnson, Joe Schwartz, Zach Schwartz & Michael Schwartz. Jerry is also survived by 10 great-grandchildren: Madilyn & Annabelle Matthias; Adam & Nora Williamson; Joey, Nate & Ben Schwartz; Griffin, Reagan & Colton Schwartz. Needless to say---Jerry leaves quite the legacy. Jerry & Bill sure put their combined fingerprints on this world with the love they shared. Jerry is also survived by her brother Bill Miniat, Barbara (Miniat) Wahl, Mary Ann (Miniat) Harman and Judy (Miniat) Collins.

Jerry was preceded in death by her husband Bill; parents Bruce & Julia Miniat; and two brothers Bruce Miniat and Dick Miniat. Jerry was also preceded in death by father-in-law Wilfred Matthias and mother-in-law Laura Matthias, as well as her son-in-law Lynn Johnson. Living as long as Jerry did, she has not seen some of her family for 40+ years and in the process of dying was excited to be reunited with all of her loved ones again.

Jerry was very excited about the foundation Knock Knock Angels Colorado that her children Scott & Debbie started to honor their Dad. The main focus of this foundation is to help Veterans as well as single Mom’s & Dad’s who were homeless. They come alongside these individuals to completely furnish the new apartments/houses they move into. It is for that reason the family would kindly request in lieu of flowers, any donations in Jerry’s memory be directed toward Knock Knock Angels Colorado: www.KKACO.org

Thanks for being a part of Jerry’s life! The Celebration Service of Jerry’s life will take place on Saturday, October 29, 2022 at 11:00 AM @ St. Michael & All Angels’ Episcopal Church located at 1400 S. University Blvd, Denver, CO. Internment will take place on Monday, October 31, 2022 at 9:30 am at Fort Logan to be laid to rest with her beloved husband Navy Veteran Bill.