Obituary of Mary Eileen Matuke

Mary Eileen Matuke (Blankenship) of Brooklyn Park, Minnesota passed away on November 30, 2024 at the age of 81.  Born September 4, 1943 to Berdeen and Mary (Mae) Blankenship in Duluth, Minnesota;  Mary was sixth of 13 children.

She is preceded in death by her husband of 43 years, Stephen Matuke, daughter Theresa Blankenship, son Rick Blankenship, parents Berdeen and Mae Blankenship, brothers John “Jack” Blankenship, Leo, Richard “Dick”, and Michael Blankenship, sisters Marjorie Davis and Delores Wix, and many aunts and uncles.

Craig angus ceol: Fun and Music, often mixed with a little alcohol. Mary loved her family, good (Country) music, and a Bloody Mary.   She had a distinctive, infectious laugh you could hear across a crowded room ten years later and know it was her. She loved an arm-wrestling match and would often (if not always) win.

Mary worked many, many years for Target as a stock specialist.  She retired from Target in 2003, made many friends during that time, and was very proud of the time she spent there.

Mary loved her friends, especially her friends from Target, horseshoe, Curves, and bible study.  She also thoroughly enjoyed happy hour with her friends and neighbors, all while enjoying a Bloody Mary or a glass of wine.

Mary capitalized on her athletic prowess later in life when she discovered her ability to compete in horseshoe pitching on the world’s stage.  Mary joined the Brooklyn Park Horseshoe club in 1991,  remained and active member over 25 years, was a mentor to many in the sport, and always offered encouragement to new horseshoe pitchers.  Her competitive spirit took her all the way to the World HorseshoeTournament in Spearfish, SD in 1993, and was crowned the champion of her class with a record of 5-0.  Mary also participated in the 1996 World Horseshoe Tournament in Gillette, Wyoming.  Certainly, she enjoyed a Bloody Mary to celebrate her many wins.

Mary loved to watch the University of Minnesota women’s basketball games with her husband, Steve, and Lindsay Whalen was one of her favorite players.

Mary is survived by her daughters Brenda Blankenship and Julie (Sean) Lutgens-Chiles of Oregon; grandsons Preston Blankenship of Wyoming, and Chaz and Everett Chiles of Oregon.  Her brothers Duane Blankenship, David and Kenneth (Lea) and her sisters Ann Vinton, Janet (Ken) Herbster, Phyllis (Tom) Fleming.   Sisters-in-law Jan Blankenship, Susan Snell, and Audrey Blankenship.  and her many, many nieces and nephews. 

A celebration of life will be planned for the Spring of 2025 to be held at St. Vincent De Paul Catholic Church in Brooklyn Park, Minnesota.  Please review the Cremation Society of Minnesota website for future information.

In lieu of flowers, contributions to the Susan B. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation and the American Diabetes Association would be greatly appreciated.