Avis M. Mathews

After an exuberant life, Avis M. Mathews (Lucky), 87, Morton formally of Winlock, passed away from this world on Thursday, Aug. 18, 2011. Born in Hamburg Township, ND on June 30, 1924. Avis the third oldest of five siblings, daughter of George Grenzer and Priscilla C.E. Albrecht. She was a rancher, stockcar racer, gravel truck driver, an avid horsewoman; breeding, raising, and showing purebred and half Arabian show horses. As well as a loving homemaker, wife, mother of four boys and one “hell of a cook”.

Those who knew Avis knew she was nothing if not determined, imaginative, independent, and courageous. One of her most used phrases was, “where there’s a will, there’s a way," on her own (around the age of ten) figured out a way to harness up the draft horse teams. Avis figured the best way to get the hames collars over the heads of those tall draft horses was by standing on a barrel while they were cross tied in the isle way of the barn. To get the rest of the harness over the horses’ backs, she incorporated the use of a rope and tackle system attached to an overhead beam. (All of this because her grandfather said, “you are still too young to hook up those horses by yourself”.) She went on to say “you should have seen the look on my grand dad’s face when he saw those horses coming out of the barn with a little girl standing behind them holding the reins. He never again said that I couldn’t do something.”

Avis (known as Lucky) drove stock cars for about six years during the 1950’s at the Hales Corner Speedway west of Milwaukee, WI. Out of which she was the Midwest Champion Stockcar Driver for 3 years in a row.

She drove gravel truck in Milwaukee area for nearly 10 years prior to meeting (1959) then her future husband Jess W. Mathews (Petroleum Engineer,) to drive gravel truck with his company in Milwaukee, WI after her current employer at the time moved out of the area.

Featured in The Milwaukee Journal Nov. 6, 1955 as one of the first “women” gravel truck driver’s in the industry.

In the early 1960’s they moved to Estes Park, CO and built their first dream home up in the mountains and formed what was to become known as the “Little Rawhide Arabian Ranch”.

Avis gained recognition in the winners’ circle at the national level in the United States and Canada with a show career spanning for nearly 20 years between the mid 1950’s to early 1970’s. With a great desire to produce a better well balanced domestic bred Arabian horse. The bloodlines she handpicked became some of the greatest foundation breeding stock to date. Producing many U.S. and Canadian National Champions long after her day in the show ring had ended.

Anyone who knew Avis knew she was very proud of and enjoyed her four sons and grandchildren. She didn’t hesitate to let you know it either. In countless retelling of memories over the years, one of her usual quotes was “I felt very “Lucky” with all the things I had accomplished early on in my life. Yet deep down I knew something was still missing. None of it could have ever taken the place of me having my four boys. They are my greatest pride and joy”.

Her parents, husband of 42 years, brothers Nathan, Vernon, Oris, and sister Mabel preceded her in death.

She is survived by her sons, Pepper (Laura) Mathews of Forest Grove, OR, Robin (Margaret) Mathews of Morton, Parks (Christie) Mathews of Toledo, and Barry Mathews of Gig Harbor, grandchildren, P.J. Mathews of Glenoma, Angela Mathews of Morton, Morgan Mathews of Toledo, five great-grandchildren along with many nephews, nieces, cousins, and friends.

The family would be greatly honored for any of those who knew her to come share their fondest memories of her with other friends and family.

A celebration of life potluck/spaghetti feed (her special secret recipe) will be held on Sept. 10th, 1-4 pm at the home of granddaughter Angela Mathews, 141 Klasey Rd., Morton, WA. Arrangment under the direction of Mills & MIlls Funeral Home, Tumwater, WA.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in Avis’s name to the Morton Nursing Home or your local Humane Society.

The Mathews family would like to extend our gratitude to all the staff at Morton Nursing Home for their attentiveness and loving care of “Grandma”

Avis will be deeply missed! We love you Avis!!!