Obituary of Marlys Mattingly

Marlys Edith (Spongberg) Mattingly, age 88,Bethany Home, Lindsborg, KS, was called to her heavenly home on December 26, 2012. She was the first child born to Ruben and Edith (Rasmusson) Spongberg on October 2, 1924, in Lindsborg, KS. Marlys was baptized, confirmed, married, and a lifetime member of Bethany Lutheran Church, Lindsborg, KS. Marlys graduated from Lindsborg Rural High School (1942) and attended Trinity Lutheran Hospital in KC, MO where she completed nurse's training and the nurse's cadet program receiving her RN in 1945 and the honor of being top student at her nurse's graduation. She later attended Bethany College, receiving her BS degree (sociology and psychology) in 1964 and her social work license in 1974. She was employed as a Registered Nurse at Good Samaritan Hospital (1946) in West Palm Beach, FL, Lindsborg Community Hospital (1947-61) where she was night supervisor for four years, and Asbury Hospital (1962), Salina, KS. She worked as a licensed social worker at McPherson County Welfare Department (1964-1974) and Salina Regional SRS Office (1974-1976) as chief of medical assistance. When SRS reorganized in 1976, Marlys was made social service administrator. She retired from SRS in 1991. While taking a postgraduate nursing course (1945) in St. Louis, MO, Marlys met Hubert E. Mattingly, II, and they were married January 24, 1946. Hubert "Matt" was stationed at Scott Field, St. Louis, and flying most of the time. In December 1946 he applied for and was granted an honorable discharge. Children born to this union were daughters Connie Jean, Betty Ann, twins Jane Marie and Joan Marlene and son Hubert E. Mattingly III. Marlys was first and foremost a wife and mother. When her children were young, she was involved in their activities and was a 4-H leader working with cooking and sewing for the local 4-H club. She was a community leader and volunteered at Bethany Lutheran Church as a church board member, Stephen Minister, Global Health Ministries, and Social Ministry. She helped organized Meals on Wheels in McPherson in 1972 and in Lindsborg in 1976. She was chairman of Meals on Wheels for many years and delivered meal for over 35 years. Marlys was in RN Club, served as president of that organization and was a member for 65 years. She was involved in the American Legion Auxiliary as president, vice president, membership chairperson, scholarship chairperson, and made carpet rags for veterans for 65 years. Marlys was also involved in the Business and Professional Women organization, Lindsborg Housing Authority Board, Lindsborg Hospital Foundation Board, Lindsborg Hospital Auxiliary, and volunteered in the Lindsborg Hospital gift shop regularly, worked at the Blood Bank, Community Mental Health, Job Development Training, and Crisis Hotline. Marlys received numerous honors throughout her life including Business and Professional Woman of the Year (1983) and Kansas Federation Woman of the Year (1984). Marlys is probably best known for her hobbies of cooking and baking for family and friends. Nearly everyone has received gifts of Swedish rye bread or Swedish t-rings from Marlys and most have eaten meals prepared and served by Marlys in her home, especially at Svensk Hyllningsfest times when Marlys and Matt fed hundreds of people. She loved to entertain her friends in the "coffee gang" on Saturday mornings. She also loved to sew, especially outfits for grandchildren and other babies and young children. Marlys and Matt loved to travel and especially enjoyed their trips to see family in Illinois and their special trips to Hawaii and Sweden with family members. Marlys enjoyed working on photograph and scrapbooks and was working on a scrapbook for each of her grandchildren when she became ill. Marlys will be greatly missed and leaves to mourn her children Connie Davis, Winter Garden, FL; Betty (Bruce) Amos, Lindsborg, KS; Jane (Hal) Peterson, Salina, KS; Joan (Allan) Lindfors, Marquette, KS; Hubert (Debra) Mattingly, Palmetto, FL.; sister Mary Ann Chambers and brother Charles (Marilyn) Spongberg, McPherson, KS; brother-in-law Warren Webster, Lindsborg, KS; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law from Illinois Leon and Jean Mattingly, Polly McAllister, Pat Hess, Sister Cecilia Mattingly, Lloyd and Mary Russell, Jim and Mary Jane Mattingly; 20 grandchildren, numerous great grandchildren, nieces, nephews, relatives, and friends. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband of nearly 66 years Hubert "Matt" who died on January 8, 2012; son-in-law Donnie Davis; granddaughter-in-law Yvonne Hamilton; sister Margaret Webster; sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law Joe Chambers, Cliff and Virginia Lopeman, Howard and Agnes Laible, Gene and Sue Mooberry, Bob Hess, Sonny and Ann Hank, and Tom McAllister. Funeral services will be held Saturday, Dec. 29, 2012, 2:00 PM at Bethany Lutheran Church, Lindsborg, with private family burial prior to the service. Visitation will be Friday, Dec. 28, 2012, 4-7 PM at Christians Funeral Home, Lindsborg. Memorials may be given to Bethany Lutheran Church, Lindsborg Hospital, Meals on Wheels, Lindsborg Sr. Center, Bethany Home or the American Legion Auxiliary. Online condolences at www.ChristiansFuneralHome.com