Orpha I. (Mathis) Zien Mattix
Orpha I. (Mathis) Zien Mattix passed away Friday, Feb. 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, Aug. 4, 1930.
She attended school at Wisconsin Rapids, Milwaukee, and graduated from Plainfield High School.
Orpha married Allen R. Zien, Sept 4, 1948, at Summerfield Methodist Church in Milwaukee. They settled on a rural dairy farm/maple sugar bush in Cadott, for 17 years. They moved to Lake Hallie, in 1968, and later divorced.
She married Lee Mattix, Dec. 4, 1976, and resided in Eau Claire. He died of cancer, Dec. 15, 1979.
Orpha was a secretary for the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources in Eau Claire, for 30 years, and retired in 1990. She also worked at the Wisconsin Department of Health.
Orpha was active in Eau Claire County, and district Republican parties’ recruitment and retention. Her inspiring leadership and charisma excelled at church, TOPS, the Eau Claire Garden Club, Eau Claire 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 six decades.
Like other great moms, she was multi-tasking juggling dozens of priorities at once.
She loved Green Bay Packers games, watching TCM movies, tending her huge flower beds, traveling with Homespun Tours and was an avid reader.
Orpha 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!”
She is survived by two sons – David A. (Ginger) Zien, Eau Claire, and Gerald J. (Susan) Zien, Prior Lake, Minn.; seven grandchildren – Aryan (Mindy) Zien, Amber (Duke) Lyons, Angel-Sky Zien, Rebecca (Garett) Klingbeil, Jodi (Shea) Wolgast, Jennifer (Philip) Snider and Joe (Mandi) Zien; 11 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, Payton Zien and Ty Moore; and two step-grandchildren – Alana and Nick Lubach.
She was preceded in death by her parents – Clare R. and Irma Marion (Allison) Mathis; and brothers – Lloyd, Clare W. and Richard Mathis-Milwaukee.
A special thank you to Mayo Health Systems, Orchard Hills and Mayo Hospice, for their compassion and wonderful care.
Services were held at Peace Lutheran Church in Eau Claire, Wednesday, Feb. 26, with Pastor Mark Schulz officiating. Visitation began at 10 a.m., and the service was at 11 a.m.; a luncheon followed.
Burial will be at the Forest Hill Cemetery in Eau Claire, at a later date.
Online condolences may be expressed at www.smithfuneralec. com. The Lord is my shepherd – though I walk in the shadow of death, I fear no evil. Thy rod and staff shall comfort me. Psalm 23
