Edward T. Mathiowetz, age 88 of Sleepy Eye, Minnesota died on Wednesday, April 3, 2024, at the New Ulm Medical Center. Visitation will be on Sunday, April 7, 2024, from 2:00 to 5:00 pm at Sturm Funeral Home, Sleepy Eye Chapel. Rosary will be prayed at 1:30 pm prior to visitation. Visitation will continue on Monday, April 8, 2024, from 9:30 to 10:30 am at Sturm Funeral Home, Sleepy Eye Chapel. Requiem Latin Mass will be on Monday at 10:30 am at Sturm Funeral Home, Sleepy Eye Chapel. The Clergy will be Father Thomas Mroczka. Interment will be at St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery in Sleepy Eye. Military Honors will be provided by Sleepy Eye Honor Guard. Arrangements are with Sturm Funeral Home in Sleepy Eye. Online condolences may be left for the family at www.sturmfh.com.
Edward Thomas Mathiowetz was the son of Thomas and Mary (Billmeier) Mathiowetz. He was born December 23, 1935, and grew up and lived near Sleepy Eye, farming with his dad and brother.
Ed became interested in music at about 10 or 11 years of age. In the fall of 1949, Ed’s dad purchased a Pearl Queen Reed concertina. In June 1950, Ed played along with his cousin, Cletus Goblirsch, for a party. Soon after, they started playing for wedding receptions, shows, parades and other events. Ed also played a few dance jobs with Bruno Randles and his Jolly Brewers.
In November 1957, he joined the Active Army Reserve, training for six years. He received his honorable discharge in 1963.
Ed married Caroline Rothmeier from Clements on May 18, 1960, at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Clements. They farmed near Sleepy Eye and raised three daughters.
Ed continued playing the concertina with several area bands including the Sota Band and Tony’s Combo Band. He, in later years, had his own small band named Ed’s Old Time Band.
Ed loved to invent things, weld, and modify equipment. He did a lot of work for area farmers.
He is survived by his wife of almost 64 years, Caroline; daughters, Brenda (Mark) Sand of Avon, MN, Teresa (friend Lavern Hauser) of New Ulm, MN, and Joanie (Marc) Barkosky of Amboy, MN; grandchildren, Brandon (Gemma), Bryan (friend Erin), Brittany (Brian) Stay, Blake (Thuan), Matthew, Jesse, Seth (Cherie), Cassaundra, Breanna, Victoria, Vanessa, and Tabitha; great-grandchildren, Jordyn, Kyrah, Damian, Avery, Aubree, Sebastian, Evelynn and Grayson; and sisters, Delores (Donald) Helget and Carol Davies.
Ed was preceded in death by his parents, Tom and Mary Mathiowetz and brother, Denis.