Obituaries

Orpha I. (Mathis) (Zien) Mattix passed away Friday, February 14, 2025, at Orchard Hills Assisted Living in Eau Claire with her two sons at her side.

Orpha was born the daughter of Clare R. and Irma Marion (Allison) Mathis in Port Edwards, Wisconsin on August 4, 1930. She attended school at Wis. Rapids, Milwaukee, and graduated from Plainfield, WI high school. On Sept 4, 1948, she married Allen R. Zien at Summerfield Methodist Church in Milwaukee. They settled on a rural dairy farm/maple sugar bush in Cadott, WI for 17 years. They moved to Lake Hallie, WI in 1968, and later divorced. On December 4, 1976, she married Lee Mattix and resided in Eau Claire. He died of cancer on December 15, 1979.

Orpha was a Secretary for the Wis. Dept. of Natural Resources in Eau Claire for 30 years and retired in 1990. She also worked at Wis. Dept. of Health.

Orpha was active in Eau Claire Co. and District Republican Parties recruitment and retention. Her inspiring leadership and charisma excelled at church, TOPS, EC Garden Club, EC Senior Center and Elks Club. She obtained many leadership positions and awards over the years. Orpha devoted countless hours, professional expertise and personal expense for worthy charitable, patriotic and veteran related causes for over 6 decades. Like other great mom’s, she was multi-tasking juggling dozens of priorities at once.

She loved Green Bay Packer games, watching TCM movies, tending her huge flower beds as if family, travelling with Homespun Tours, and was an avid reader. She especially loved spending time with friends and family. An avid dancer, especially square dancing, she was often the life of the party! Altogether a social butterfly –- Look to the sky: “Here/there you will see her everywhere!”

Orpha is survived by two sons, David A (Ginger) Zien (Eau Claire) and Gerald J (Susan) Zien (Prior Lake, MN); seven grandchildren, Aryan (Mindy) Zien, Amber (Duke) Lyons, Angel-Sky Zien, Rebecca (Garett) Klingbeil, Jodi (Shea) Wolgast, Jennifer (Philip) Snider, and Joe (Mandi) Zien; eleven great-grandchildren, Teagan Zien, London Zien, Jack Klingbeil, Ada Klingbeil, Ben Erlandsen, Josh Erlandsen, Samantha Erlandsen, Kaiden Wolgast, Serenna Snider, Kaylee Snider, Cruz Snider, Adalynn Zien, and Payton Zien; and 2 step-grandchildren, Alana & Nick Lubach.

Orpha was preceded in death by her parents, Clare R. and Irma Marion (Allison) Mathis, and brothers, Lloyd, Clare W. & Richard Mathis-Milwaukee.

A special thank you to Mayo Health Systems, Orchard Hills, and Mayo Hospice for their compassion and wonderful care.

Funeral Services will be held at Peace Lutheran Church, 501 E. Filmore Ave, Eau Claire on Wednesday, February 26, 2025, with Pastor Mark Schulz officiating. Visitation will begin at 10:00 am and the service at 11:00 am, with a luncheon to follow. The burial will be at Forest Hill Cemetery in Eau Claire at a later date. Family and friends may leave online condolences at www.smithfuneralec.com

“The Lord is my shepherd – thou I walk in the shadow of death; I fear no evil. Thy rod and staff shall comfort me”. Psalm 23