Meredith Ann Mathwich, 76, Minot died on Friday, December 4, 2009 in a Minot hospital following a courageous battle with cancer and rheumatoid arthritis.

Meredith was born on June 10, 1933 in Minot, ND to Donovan and Gertrude (Taul) Sanders. She was reared on the family farm in Waterford Township of Ward County west of Ruthville and attended rural school. She moved with her family into Minot in 1949 and graduated from Minot Model High School in 1950.

Meredith married Marvin Mathwich on October 27, 1953 at Lynch Immanuel Lutheran Church- rural Glenburn. They made their home in Minot in a house where the roots had grown so deep that Mert continued to live there until her death. With great pride, Mert stayed at home to raise their five children until they reached school age. She devoted herself to their activities serving as a 4-H, Brownie and Girl Scout leader. Mert also served 3 terms as Jefferson Elementary PTA President. She started working in the dietary department at Trinity Hospital in 1967.

Marvin died unexpectedly of a heart attack on July 31, 1972. Meredith continued working at the hospital full-time and part-time at Muhlbradt's Hardware Hank in the evenings until her disability with rheumatoid arthritis forced her retirement in the early 1990's.

Mert found great joy to be around children of all ages and her heart would swell with love at every chance she had to spend with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She truly had a handle on the important basic needs in life and she would share that with her subtle, whimsical sense of humor never letting go of the child in herself.

Mert's eye would twinkle at any opportunity to banter about politics and she never missed an opportunity to watch "my Tiger" , Tiger Woods. Her hobbies were endless including quilting, knitting, sewing, jigsaw puzzles, reading, flower gardening and bird watching. She was a true sports fan jumping with excitement from her living room recliner at the moves of the Fighting Sioux, Wild, Twins, Vikings, Packers and Gophers.

Meredith was a dedicated member of St. Mark's Lutheran Church in Minot.

Meredith's loving family includes her children: Lowell Mathwich of Dayton Ohio, Rod (Suzie) Mathwich of Prescott WI, Greg (Carol) Mathwich of Minot and Wanda Mathwich of St. Paul MN; sister: Montez Nett of Foxholm, brothers: Jerry (Joan) Sanders, Elden (Darlene) Sanders, Larry (Sandy) Sanders all of Minot; grandchildren: Erin, Logan, Tyler and Leisa Mathwich and Kalen Olson; great grandchildren: Evelyn, Soren, Lars and Peder Mathwich; sister-in-law, Doris Jackson; brother-in-law, Ron Lillegard; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

Meredith was preceded in death by her parents, husband, son: Brian Lee Mathwich, sisters: Fanette Jensen and Marilyn Lillegard and brothers: Donovan "Sonny" Sanders and Terry Sanders.

Funeral Service: Tuesday, December 8, 2009 at 11:00 a.m. in St. Mark's Lutheran Church - Minot.
Interment will be in Rosehill Memorial Park - Minot.
Visitation: Monday from 2:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. in Thomas Family Funeral Home - Minot.
Memorials are preferred to the St. Mark's Lutheran Church building fund.