Albert Matt

Service Location Change
Peacock Memorial Chapel, Thursday, Jan. 20, 2011, at 2:00 p.m.

Albert Matt passed away at the age of 88 on January 15 after a brief illness. He was born the second of three children to Mihkel & Alviine Matt in Kuressaare, Estonia, on November 17, 1922. Albert led a very storied life which he wrote about in his self-published memoirs entitled “The Journey with the Happy Ending”. After completing his elementary education, Albert entered a trade school where he began his career as a master woodworker and cabinetmaker. He was known throughout the Arkansas Valley and beyond for his abilities with his remodeling skills, along with his building, repairing and refinishing furniture.

In 1941 the Soviet Union began their occupation of his beloved Estonia and Albert was drafted into the Russian army. After his stint in this army, he returned home to German occupation and was conscripted into the German army and sent to Russia. In April of 1944 he visited his family for the last time before he was sent to Germany, not returning to Estonia until 1985. In October of 1946 he arrived in a displaced persons camp in Nuremberg, Germany, where he met and married his wife of 57 years Erna, and where their first daughter, Malle was born in 1948. In 1949, sponsored by the Lutheran Church, Albert, Erna, Malle and mother-in-law Maria boarded a ship to the United States where they eventually settled in Boise City, OK. In 1951 Albert went to work for the Santa Fe Railroad and moved to La Junta, where their second daughter, Linda was born and where he continued with the railroad until his retirement as Bridge & Building Superintendent in December of 1982. After retirement Albert continued with his hobby of remodeling and woodworking until this past November when his illness left him unable to continue.

Preceding him in death were his wife Erna in 2004, his parents, his mother-in-law, and sister Vaika. He is survived by his two daughters, four grandchildren and seven great grandchildren: Malle Schindler and her sons Matt (Julie) and their children Mattie, Burton, Teresa and Marin; and son Aaron (Stephanie) and their children Joshua, David and Jzanna; daughter Linda (Jim) Clawson and their children Chris and Lisa Clawson. Albert is also survived by his sister Maimu and several nieces and nephews, who still reside in Estonia, and who he was able to visit several times since his retirement. Albert was a very patriotic naturalized American citizen, but his heart always belonged to Estonia.

A Memorial Service on Thursday, January 20, 2011, at 2:00 p.m., at Peacock Memorial Chapel. Viewing will be from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 18, 2011 at Peacock Memorial Chapel.

Peacock-Larsen Funeral Home & Arkansas Valley Crematory is in charge of arrangements.

Memorial contributions may be made in Albert’s memory to the Belle Bonfils Blood Center, 717 Yosemite Street, Denver, CO, 80230; at the next community blood drive in his name; or to the Arkansas Valley Community Center building fund, P.O. Box 1130, La Junta, CO, 81050 direct or through the funeral home.