Donn T. "Pete" Mattea

Pete was born in Shelton, NE Buffalo County, on December 28, 1930. He was the 2nd born child of Theodore Frank Mattea and Ruby Arlene Lane Mattea. Having grown up in the depression and World War II era, he learned the values of hard work and frugality early on. His family lived on a rented farm 8 miles west of Cedar Rapids, NE until December of 1934, when they moved into Cedar Rapids.

He attended grade school in Cedar Rapids from 1st through 8th grade (Mid year). The family moved to Omaha, NE in November of 1943, where his dad found work at the Martin Bomber Plant in Sarpy County during WW II. Pete then attended Omaha Technical High, graduating at the age of 16 in 1947. (No Kindergarten back in those days)

In 1949 Pete joined the Army. He served in Korea for 13.5 months from 1950-51. He was honorable discharged in April of 1953 at the rank of Tech. Sergeant, after earning the Korean Service Medal. He then returned to Omaha to work for at his dad’s garage and in the restaurant his mother owned at 1524 Military in North Omaha.

Pete met Patricia McGowan and they were wed on 8-29-1953. To this union, 5 children were born, Gerald, Daniel, Carolyn, Rick and Colleen. Sadly, they lost Colleen in 1966 at 3 months of age, due to a heart ailment. Tragically, Patricia died of cancer in January of 1969.

Early in his work career, Pete worked as the body shop foreman at McKenzie Pontiac-GMC in Omaha, NE. It was here that he met Dorothy Stille when she needed some work done on her vehicle. Dorothy had lost her husband, Bruce, in a car accident in 1964. She had three children of her own, Donald, Cheryl and Kevin. Kevin was still young when Dorothy met Pete.

Pete and Dorothy were both very social and fun loving. They hit it off right away. They were married in January of 1970 at Blessed Sacrament Church in Omaha, with Pete’s son Jerry and Dorothy’s daughter Cheryl as attendants. The blended family moved to LaVista, NE for about a year and then moved to 5th street in Papillion, NE.

In 1972, Pete and Dorothy had an opportunity to buy an insurance auto damage appraisal business. They converted their garage into an office space and started Pete’s Auto Damage Appraisers. During this time, Pete was very active in and past president of the Cornhusker Cosmopolitan Club, a non-profit club that raises funds for kids with Diabetes and special needs.Together they worked side by side for approximately 20 years, when they sold the business to Pete’s son Dan.

Pete was very social, and along with Dorothy, they never missed an opportunity to dress up in costumes for each and every holiday, birthday or sporting event . they brought joy to others with their merriment. He liked to tinker with small engines and clocks, which were likely obtained at a garage sale or estate sale. His car automatically sought out these sales and he often would bargain a deal even at the garage sales! Pete was a 50 year member of St. Columbkille Catholic Church in Papillion, NE.

Pete and Dorothy traveled extensively with family and friends all over the US, Europe, Greece Panama and Turkey. They also enjoyed many years of ballroom and polka dancing with a very special group of dance friends. In later years, card games replaced the dancing.

Grandpa Pete was a wonderful hands on grandpa to his 20 grandchildren and 28 great grandchildren. There was always an abundance of fun at Grandma and Grandpa’s house with toys out in the big yard and driveway and treasures in the basement. Many Fond memories of Christmas in the basement are had by the whole family. Pete treasured time with his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren as well as his extended family and many dear friends.

Survived by Wife, Dorothy Stille Mattea.

Children: Donald (Diann) Stille, Cheryl Stille Antalek (Joe LoRusso), Gerald (Jennifer) Mattea, Daniel Mattea, Carolyn (Gordon) Huls, Rick (Debi) Mattea, Kevin (Karen) Stille.

Grandchildren: Jason (Tara) Stille, Joel (Lindsay) Stille, Scott (Julie) Stille, Sean (Miranda) Stille, Lachelle Stille, Greg (Kelsie) Stille, Michael (Shannon) Antalek, Bryan (Daniel Snover) Antalek, Corey (Julie) Mattea, Meggin (Ben) Webber, Joshua Mattea, Kelsie Mattea, Carissa (Mike) Nielsen, Calvin Jr. (Anie) Peters, Nicole (Van) Harman, Eric (Jackie Iedema) Mattea, Aaron (Ana Koppany) Mattea, Keith (Allison) Stille, Dennis (Brooke) Stille, Ben (Samantha) Stille.

Great Grandchildren: Carson, Hannah and Hadley Stille. Carter and Beckett Stille. Belle Stille, Jamison and Graham Antalek. Patrick and Molly Mattea. Alex and Ruby Webber. Cailyn and Cooper Nielsen. Kaysn and Kylar Peters, Joseph Guillen Martinez, Danna Gonzales Guillen. Aurora, Van William and Hosea Harman. Blaine, Harley and Barrett Mattea. Lainey and Huxton Stille. Elliot and June Stille.