Obituary of Andree Van Matre

Andree Marie Deter Van Matre was born November 30, 1926, to Henry and Helen Compton Deter. She was born at their home in Deer Trail, attended by a mid-wife. She grew up on a ranch east of Deer Trail along with her sister Joann Deter LeValley, and brother Brian Deter. She attended Deer Trail School and graduated in 1944. Her school day’s memories included the dust bowl days, the depression, and World War II. After graduation she worked at the Bank in Strasburg until she married Bill Van Matre. They had three girls, Cheryl, Susan, and Kathy. She raised her family on a farm west of Deer Trail, her children all attending Deer Trail School. She was a wonderful seamstress. She made all the girls’ school clothes, including coats. She made all three of their wedding dresses, and recently made her granddaughter’s wedding dress. She owned and operated Corner Gas in Deer Trail for 18 years. After retiring, her love of sewing focused on Quilting and making gifts for her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She also enjoyed her home and her flower gardens. She was very proud of her pioneer roots, and very active in the community. She was a long time member of the Deer Trail Pioneer Historical Society, the Deer Trail Jockeyettes, the Old Timers Association, which her father co-founded, and the Deer Trail Alumni, which four generations of her family are members. Her family was always the most important thing in her life. Cheryl (Rod) Ross, Susan (Zeb) Eldringoff and Kathy (Steve) Carter all of Deer Trail, CO, four grandchildren; Randy (Lisa) Eldringhoff, Kent Vashus, Amy (Thomas) Cox and Erin (Edward) Knipp all of Deer Trail, CO, and eleven great-grandchildren, Dalton, Dawson, Kolter, and Kooper Eldringhoff, Kendra, Kelsie, and Kyle Vashus, Logan Cox, Taylor, Ethan, and Hailey Knipp. She always took an interest in everything they were doing. Also surviving is one brother Brian (Debbie) Deter of Greeley, CO and four nephews. She was a good, honest, fair, and loving person and will be deeply missed by her family, relatives, and many friends. Andree was preceded in death by her parents Henry and Helen Deter and one sister Joann LeValley. A funeral service for Andree will be held at the Deer Trail School on Thursday, November 01, 2007 at 2:00 P.M. Memorials may be made to the Deer Trail Pioneer Historical Society P.O. Box 176, Deer Trail, CO 80105.