March 29, 2024

Lifelong legacy

Mathes awarded certificate of achievement from Iowa Department of Education

MURRAY — Roland Mathes pulled out a picture and set it in the middle of the table in his home in Murray.

“It’s right there,” he said, pointing to the people in the photo.

The picture was of a group of people in ages ranging from four to 42. The back of the picture was labeled “Karen’s Kids.”

The photo was taken during a funeral dinner for Karen Mathes in May. To Karen’s husband Roland, the group of people are his wife’s legacy.

“There’s none of them (who) will ever forget her,” he said.

How it began

Thirty-seven years ago, a family friend asked if Karen would like to watch their children, and the request gradually led to her supervising more children in the area.

Karen gave many years of service with doing in-home child care and participating on the USDA’s Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP).

CACFP is part of the Federal School Lunch Program available to registered home child care providers. Participants are paid cash for serving meals that meet nutritional guidelines.

Certificate of achievement

On May 13, Karen received a certificate of achievement from the Iowa Department of Education.

The certificate of achievement states, “On your dedicated service to the Child and Adult Care Food Program since July 8, 1981. Your continued support of this program has benefited many children for almost 34 years. We at the State Department of Education would like to take this opportunity to honor you and your efforts to feed children over the past several decades. Thank you for participating in the Child and Adult Care Food Program.”

Karen died May 16, three days after receiving the honor.

Roland believes when the certificate was presented to Karen, even though she was ill with a bad heart, she knew what it was about.

“I’m sure she knew what was going on then. I’m sure she knew it,” he said.

Karen dedicated nearly four decades of her life toward helping others. She was still taking care of children until March of this year. Karen was dedicated until the end.

Impact

Just because the children stopped needing Mathes’ services as they grew up, doesn’t mean they forgot her, or that she forgot them.

Roland pulled out many graduation announcements from students in the class of 2015 inviting the family to their graduation parties.

Many of the boys Karen babysat took an avid interest in demolition cars once they got older and she would sponsor their demolition cars. “Karen’s Daycare” would be prominently displayed on the cars during competition.

Roland brought out a letter he had received from the Dudney family thanking his wife. The letter mentions how Karen made sure the Dudney’s three boys became involved in swim lessons, Bible school and peewee wrestling.

Even after the Dudney boys grew up, Karen still came to their birthday parties, graduations and weddings.

A section of the letter states, “She had such an influence on my kids. We will miss you so much. I thank you for helping me make my kids what they have become today.”

Roland said he is going to display both Karen’s state license and certificate of appreciation in his home.

“It’s unbelievable,” he said. “... All of her time, she gave all of her time to it.”