Obituary of Carol Jean Matalamaki

The beloved and beautiful Carol Jean Wester Matalamaki (November 19, 1934) went to be with the Lord on Sunday, February 13, 2022. She is survived by her four children Rae Tyllia (Jeff), Lauren Nguyen (Vinh), John Matalamaki, and Drew Matalamaki; her five grandchildren Cutter Tyllia (Shannon), Taylor Tyllia (Joshua Miron), Brittany Doyle (Shane), Eric Nguyen, and Jordan Nguyen; her great granddaughters Madison, Haley, and Darcy; her sister Lanny Vetterick; and her lifelong friend Elaine Helmer.

Although our mom had been unresponsive for several days, late in the evening prior to her eventual passing, she indicated for Rae to stay with her. We are grateful that Rae was with our mom in her final hours and are comforted in knowing all of her children were with her in the preceding weeks.

We thank Rae and her exceptional husband Jeff Tyllia for their devoted service to our mother and fortitude in moving her countless possessions several times these past years. Our mom was a marvelous decorator and to be surrounded by beautiful things, many of them from her dear mother Mabel, brought her much joy. We appreciate the efforts Rae and Jeff made to be sure mom’s assisted living rooms were well appointed with her prized possessions, pink satin furniture, and photographs.

Carol was preceded in death by her husband Reino (Ray) Walter Matalamaki, whose shocking death in 1972 at age 40 was an incredible hardship and financial struggle. Despite this loss, Carol raised her children well and maintained the beautiful family home in Duluth. Everywhere she moved in the years subsequent to selling her house on North Road was again beautiful, including her final home in hospice care.

We are sad for ourselves, but know our mom is in heaven with her husband, her beloved mother and father Mabel and Eric Wester, and her brothers Bob and Stan Wester.

We shall all be together again some day.

Visitation will be held on Saturday, March 26, 2022 at 1:00 followed by a memorial service  at 2:00 at Lakeview Covenant Church located at 1001 Jean Duluth Road in Duluth Minnesota. 

 (live stream: lakeviewcovenant.online.church)