Elizabeth Marie Matschullat

Elizabeth Marie Rone Ritter Matschullat, born March 23, 1930, passed peacefully into the arms of her Heavenly Father August 31, 2023, in Omaha, NE. Beloved mother, grandmother, great grandmother, aunt, sister-in-law, and friend. Elizabeth is preceded in death by her husband Harry Dale Matschullat; parents, Revea Tinsley Rone and Floyd Freeman Rone; her three siblings; her aunt “Avie” and her beloved grandmother “Mama T.” Elizabeth was born in Polo, MO and was raised her first seven years by her grandmother Victoria Haseltine Flint Tinsley (“Mama T") until her death in 1937. She spent the next eight years in Denver with her mother and three siblings. She graduated from high school in Chappell, NE where she lived with her foster family, Mr. and Mrs. H. H. Reese. After graduating high school, she moved to Kearney, NE, earned a teaching certificate and taught in a one room schoolhouse. Elizabeth met and married Harold Ray Ritter, who was just returning from military service with the occupying forces in Japan. Elizabeth and Harold raised six children and were married for 35 years. Elizabeth always remembered her years raising her children in Pleasanton, NE as her happiest. While her two youngest were still at home, Elizabeth returned to Kearney State College and earned her bachelor’s degree in social work with the help of Talking Books. She loved her career as a medical social worker, working at Mt. Carmel Nursing Home (Kearney, NE), Hospice, and finally at St. Francis Hospital in Grand Island where she retired at age 67. She always maintained an active social life and started dancing again in her 50s. If she was not dancing, she was playing cards until the wee hours. She married Dale Matschullat in 1997 and moved to O’Neill, NE where Dale ranched and farmed. She threw herself into the social life of O’Neill at Red Hats, a bowling league, a walking club, bridge club, and service to her church. After her chapter in O’Neill finished, she moved to Friendswood, TX where she continued her active retirement until she lost her vision permanently in 2016. Elizabeth spent her final six years in Omaha, NE where she enjoyed living in closer proximity to her large extended family and Husker football.

Elizabeth is survived by her six children, Bruce Rodney Ritter (Irasema), Brenda Rae Costanza (Joe), Billy Reese Ritter (Debbie), Bradley Roger Ritter (Cathy), Beth Rene Ritter (Alan), and Barbara Rochelle Ibach (Todd); sixteen grandchildren (Aaron, Ellen, Zachary, Isaac, Jillian, Joseph, Brett, Briana, Blake, Neal, Molly, Sam, Ian, Lauren, Rachel and Colin) and 16 great grandchildren (Lutreo, Fianna, Brennan, Briar, Braxton, Xander, Reese, Aubrey, Barrett, Adaline, Callum, Nick, Eric and Mackenzie, William—and Matthew any day now. Elizabeth never met a stranger and loved her nieces and nephews like her own children. Elizabeth will always be fondly remembered for her charm, humor, intelligence, and warmth.