Obituary of Carolyn Katherine Matthews

Carolyn Katherine Kampf Matthews

June 7, 1934 – April 26, 2023

Carolyn was born in Havre, Montana to Oscar and Margaret (Matulka) Kampf. She grew up on the family ranch outside Havre with her parents and six sisters.  After moving ‘into town’, Carolyn attended Havre High School.  She had her first son, Jerry and later moved to Great Falls where her children Charlene, Jannette, Steven and Margo were born.  In Great Falls, Carolyn owned and operated several businesses including Altman’s Superette, Carolyn’s Poodle Parlor, The Sahara Motel, The Country Club Motel and the Rendezvous Restaurant and Lounge. After selling The Country Club Motel and Rendezvous Restaurant, Carolyn became a Realtor and continued that career after she moved her family to California in 1982. In California she worked with Century 21 in Modesto, CA and then opened her own real estate brokerage firm with Better Homes and Gardens.  Later her interest in the financial world brought her to MetLife and World Financial Group.  Carolyn held her California Broker’s License with the California Department of Real Estate up until her passing.

Carolyn was a very generous and loyal businesswoman.  Her employees would become her friends and some she considered part of her family.  Life gave Carolyn many opportunities to travel and enjoy her time with family and friends. Though California was her home for over 40 years, Montana always held her heart.

Carolyn will be missed by her children Jerry (Pam) Altman, Char (Tim) Fowler, Jannette Assali, Steve (Michele) Matthews and Margo Matthews, her surviving sisters Florence (Bob) Brown, Beverly (Dave) Little and Patty (Larry) DeRosa, many nieces and nephews, and her grandchildren Shawnie and Elizabeth and great-granddaughter Amara.

May our Mother rest peacefully and be united with her parents Oscar and Margaret, her sisters Margorie Gatzemeier, Donna Knudson and Joyce Malek, and her grandson Vinny Warda.

Carolyn will be buried with her late husband Earl Staples in the Sacramento Valley National Cemetery in Dixon, CA.  The family will hold a private ceremony at a later date.

 

 

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