Vergean Zoe Matney

Vergean Zoe Matney, 87, of Dakota Dunes, SD, formerly of South Sioux City and Dakota City, NE passed away Monday September 15, 2014 at Matney Colonial Manor, surrounded by her daughters. Services will be 2:30 P.M. Thursday, September 18, 2014 at St. Paul United Methodist Church in South Sioux City with Justin Taylor and Rev. Jose Miranda officiating. Visitation will be from 5 to 8 P.M. Wednesday at the church with a prayer service at 7:00 P.M. Vergean was born February 11, 1927 in Maskell, NE, the daughter of Melvin and Deda (Orr) Nielsen. After graduating from South Sioux City High School, Vergean attended Telegraphy School at the Western Union Office in Sioux City, Iowa. As a certified Teletype Operator, during World War II, she assigned details in Cincinnati, OH, Detroit, MI, and San Francisco, CA. Immediately upon returning from her last assignment, Vergean married her high school sweetheart and love of her life, Harley Matney, on July 26, 1946 at Holiness Methodist Church in South Sioux City. They were able to celebrate 66 years together. Harley and Vergean had four daughters, Pam, Jaimee, Chris and Shelly. Vergean was a member of St. Paul United Methodist Church in south Sioux City. She modeled her strong faith to her family and others by example. Teaching Sunday school, sewing curtains for the church kitchen, making pies and serving at fund raisers were ways that she put her faith into action. Vergean and Harley lived in Fargo, ND, and Geneseo, ILL, as a result of Harley’s career in the meat packing industry. When they moved back to South Sioux City, Harley and Vergean co-owned Meat Packers Supply International, where Vergean was the bookkeeper. For the last30 years Harley and Vergean have owned Parkview Industries and Mobile Home Court in South Sioux City, NE. Vergean’s “chosen” career was being a good (the best) wife and mother. She was a woman of strong character, wisdom, many shills and great compassion. She touched so many lives with her welcoming, inclusive, fun-loving spirit. Harley and Vergean shared many happy times together bowling, square dancing, fishing, playing cards and just being with family. She was a vital part of supporting the music in her family. Vergean was involved in volunteering, ceramics, sewing, cooking ,baking, embroidering, crocheting…she was the best Grandma ever! Vergean is survived by four daughters and their husbands, Pam (Wally) Ostapoff, Jaimee (Denney) Nutt, Chris (Phil) Ramsey and Shelly (Tom) Bell; 11 grandchildren, 26 great grandchildren and two great great grandchildren. One brother, Kendall Nielsen (Sherry) one sister, Faye Sailors (Ronnie) sister-in-law Beverly Nielsen and close friend, Betty Prosser.             Vergean was preceded in death by her parents, Melvin and Deda Nielsen, her two brothers, Llan (Virginia) Nielsen, Marvin Nielsen, one sister, Carol (Gus) Pappas, brother-in-law Russell Helzer and son-in-law, the Rev. Doug Haugen.  Inlaws: Edward (Lillie) Matney, Georgetta (Russell) Border, Bonnie  (Albert) Hankins and Peggy (Jens) Pedersen.