Frances M. (Terry) Matheson, 97 of Russell, Kansas and formerly of Natoma, Kansas died Monday, October 28, 2013 at Wheatland Nursing Center in Russell, Kansas.

Frances was born April 23, 1916 in Waldo, Kansas the daughter of Lester W. and Anna Marie (Bodmer) Terry.  She grew up in Waldo and graduated from Waldo High School.  She attended Ft. Hays State University where she obtained a degree in Education.
Frances began her teaching career in the “Pleasant Ridge” one room school southwest of Natoma where she met and was united in marriage to Raymond Alvin Matheson on April 2, 1937 in Phillipsburg, Kansas.  This union was blessed with four children; Alvin, Patty, Marthana and Larry.  They made their home in Pleasant Ridge.  The family lived a short time on a farm north of Condell, Kansas and in 1944 they moved to a farm in the Pleasant Ridge community where Frances again taught at the “Pleasant Ridge” school.  Then in 1948 they moved to a farm one mile west of Natoma where she temporarily quit teaching to raise the growing family.  In 1955 they moved into Natoma and she resumed her teaching career in the Natoma Grade School teaching 2nd grade and later was Special Reading instructor for the grade school.  Following her retirement from teaching Frances was a volunteer librarian at the Natoma High School.  Frances was a very active member of the Natoma United Methodist Church.  In later years Frances moved to Russell where she attended Trinity United Methodist church.    She enjoyed gardening, providing fresh and home canned garden truck to the extended family and friends for many years.  She also enjoyed working crossword puzzles and crocheting. 

Frances’ surviving family include her son, Alvin Matheson (DeeAnn) of Russell, Kansas; two daughters, Patty Dale and Marthana Reynolds (Russ) all of Russell, Kansas; five grandchildren, 11 great grandchildren and nine great-great grandchildren.  She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Raymond, infant son Larry D., brothers Albert Terry and Earle Terry.

Celebration of Frances’ Life will be held at 11:00 A.M. Friday, November 1, 2013 at the Trinity United Methodist Church of Russell with Pastor John Thompson officiating.  A Graveside Service will be held at 2:00 P.M. Friday at the Natoma City Cemetery in Natoma, Kansas.  Visitation will be from 9 AM to 8 PM Thursday, October 31, 2013 at the Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary in Russell with the family present to greet friends from 6 PM to 7 PM.  A memorial has been established with the Natoma United Methodist Church.  Contributions and condolences may be sent to Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary, who is in charge of these arrangements.