Lennis L. Mathews

Age 76 of Eagan, passed away on September 23, 2024. Len was proceeded in death by his parents, Leo and Agnes (née Boettcher) Mathews; his father-in-law and mother-in-law, Leo and Dolores Crowley; brother-in-law, Gary Haper; and sister-in-law, Colleen Dolph. He is survived by his loving wife of 50 years, Diane (née Crowley); children, Jeffrey (Erin) Mathews, Kari (Ryan) Gilbertson, and Jill (Jeremy) McJunkin; grandchildren, Samuel and Benjamin Mathews, Camden and Madeline McJunkin, and Liam Gilbertson; his brother, Donnis; and by many other relatives and friends.

He was born November 5, 1947, in Blue Earth, Minnesota. He grew up on the family farm in Elmore township south of Blue Earth. He graduated from Blue Earth High School and went on to Mankato Technical School where he earned a certificate in mechanical drafting. Shortly after graduating from Mankato Technical school, he enlisted in the U.S. Air Force and served from 1968 until 1972. He was stationed at Tinker AFB, Oklahoma, assigned to the 6th Weather Air Mobility Squadron. While in the Air Force he traveled extensively providing support for weather research projects as a meteorological technician. After leaving the Air Force he worked briefly for the National Center for Atmospheric Research in Boulder Colorado before returning to Minnesota.

After returning to Minnesota, he met and married the love of his life, Diane, in 1974. They built a home in Apple Valley, Minnesota where they lived for 25 years and raised their family, then another 25 years in Eagan, Minnesota. Len, Diane, and family celebrated their 50^th wedding anniversary in February of this year. Len worked at Univac/Sperry/Unisys for over 40 years in various positions as a computer technician and retired in 2013. After retiring, Len and Diane did some traveling prior to Len being diagnosed with mucosal melanoma in 2014. Len was a dedicated and loving husband, father, and grandfather. He enjoyed exploring Minnesota’s North Shore, State and National Parks, craft beer, being outdoors, working in his yard, and had a passion for cars.

Memorial Service at 11am on Thursday, October 10, 2024, at Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran Church, 12650 Johnny Cake Ridge Rd., Apple Valley, with visitation one hour prior. Inurnment at Fort Snelling National Cemetery at a later date.

The family would like to extend a special thank you to the Mayo Clinic, especially the Melanoma Oncology and ENT teams, and Pastor Lindsey from Shepherd of the Valley.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial gifts be made in memory of Lennis Mathews to Mayo Clinic for Melanoma Research. Donations can be made by phone, online or by mail:

Phone:

Call 1-855-852-8129 to talk with a Benefactor Service Associate who can facilitate a secure gift over the telephone.

Online:

Visit philanthropy.mayoclinic.org/donatemc and complete the online form.

• Under “Designate my gift to…” select “Other” and manually enter Melanoma Research.
• Check the box “Make this donation a tribute” and indicate the gift is in memory of Lennis Mathews.

Mail:

Checks can be written directly to Mayo Clinic and memorial to the following address:

Mayo Clinic

Department of Development

200 First Street SW

Rochester, MN 55905

• In the memo line of the check or in a separate note included in the mailing indicate that the donation is in memory of Lennis Mathews and is for the purpose of Melanoma Research.