Marie Barnitz Matison

Marie Barnitz Matison, age 87, of Brooklyn Park, formerly of Austin, MN, passed away December 20. First widowed at age 34 and with 4 young children, Marie opened the Holiday Shop (fine and distinctive gifts) in Austin, MN. After 7 successful years as owner/operator, Marie remarried and later moved to the Twin Cities. She taught in the Hopkins Elementary School system for 10 years. She will forever be remembered for her love of flowers and passion for gardening (she won the Brooklyn Park Garden of the Year Award), the way she embraced and celebrated the changing seasons and every holiday, and how she left her own unique, artistic touch on everything she made and did. Preceded in death by first husband, George W. Matison; second husband, Robert Tucker; sister, Ione Bell, all of Austin, MN and niece, Lucy Bell Coleman of Franktown, CO. She is survived by children, Judy Ealy, Karen (Sheldon) Hess, Jim (Janice), William (Jacqueline) and Debra Tucker; 8 grandchildren; 8 great-grandchildren; sister, Dorothy (Nathan) Fischer of Austin. Memorial services Wednesday, 10 am Peterson-Stohlberg Hillside Chapel, (Hwy 88 & 19th Av. NE). Interment Oakwood Cemetery, Austin, MN. In lieu of flowers memorials preferred to the MN Landscape Arboretum, P.O. Box 39, Chanhassen, MN 55317. Peterson-Stohlberg Hillside Chapel 612-781-1999

Published on December 23, 2001