Roscoe R. Matteson was born to Milt and Louie (Abbott) Matteson 12 miles northeast of Phillipsburg on September 5th, 1921. He died on his 99th birthday, September 5th, 2020 at the Phillips County Retirement Home. Roscoe attended grade school in Phillips County, and in order to attend high school, he lived with his Uncle Lee and Aunt Dorothy Matteson in Phillipsburg. While attending high school, he participated on the football team when there was no helmet gear, which resulted in a broken nose. Roscoe's love of the game continued throughout his life. He graduated with the class of 1940 at Phillipsburg High School.

Roscoe served in the South Pacific during World War II with the Service Battery 53rd Field Artillery Battalion 6th Division. Roscoe reported to basic training in Fort Riley in 1942 and finalized his training at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri. He was eventually stationed in the California Desert where there was a sand storm on Christmas day. From California he traveled seven days on the USS Republic before boarding the USS Monterey for another 30 days to New Guinea. This ship held 3,000 troops and was 600 feet long. Roscoe remembered New Guinea was full of mosquitos and mud, where it sometimes rained up to 100 inches a month.  The soldiers had to put their tent floors on posts to keep them dry and out of the mud. He was later stationed in the Philippines, where he drove a truck delivering supplies. He served with Site Seeing Six until he returned home on December 13, 1945. "Home Alive in 45."

After his return from the South Pacific, Roscoe met and married Frances King on June 12, 1948 at her parent's home in rural Kensington. Together they raised three children. He saw to it that they learned how to milk cows, ride a horse, drive a tractor, and cut weeds but they could also be found enjoying homemade ice cream on a Sunday evening. Roscoe and Frances devoted their lives to building up their farm. Frances passed away in 2001 after a battle with cancer. One of the greatest joys his children gave him were his 8 grandchildren. Everyone, including his 19 great grandchildren, liked visiting the farm and playing cards. Roscoe would routinely find his way to the floor to play tractors and blocks with the little ones.

Roscoe had a lifetime of work on the farm that included raising cattle and growing wheat. He was a likeable and popular person because of his quick wit and charming nature. He was very proud to be an American and a Veteran of WWII and a member of the United Methodist Church where he served on several boards.  Roscoe also served his community as a board member of Prairie Land Electric for 27 years and the Coop Board for 18 years.

In addition to his wife, Frances, Roscoe was preceded in death by his sister, Lois Smith; son-in-law, Duane Rauhut; and brother-in-law, Neil Johnson. He leaves behind his children Jane Krug (Bob) of Garden City, KS; Doris Rauhut of Wichita, KS; and Ron Matteson (Brenda) of Phillipsburg, KS. One sister, Norma Johnson of Phillipsburg, KS and brother-in-law Bennie Smith of Smith Center, KS. Eight grandchildren including Chad Krug (Kate), Amanda Aldis (Ryan), Sarah Wurtz (Aaron), Abby Brownell (Nathan), Kaylee Francis (Dustin), Mat Matteson (Amber), Ryan Matteson, and Kendra Meyer (R.J.), as well as 19 great grandchildren and many loving nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. Wednesday, September 9, 2020 in the United Methodist Church, Phillipsburg, with Pastor Blake Stanwood officiating.  The services will be streamed live on the Olliff-Boeve Memorial Chapel FaceBook page .   Interment will follow in the Fairview Cemetery, Phillipsburg with military honors.

Mr. Matteson will lie in state from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Monday and 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesday at the Olliff-Boeve Memorial Chapel, Phillipsburg.

Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice Services, Inc., Phillips County Retirement Center or United Methodist Church.

Olliff-Boeve Memorial Chapel, 1115 2 ^nd Street, Phillipsburg, KS 67661 is in charge of arrangements.