Ann Marie Matheny, 88, Spearfish and formerly of Claremont, SD, passed away Wednesday, August 1, 2007, at the Belle Fourche Regional Senior Care Center.

Memorial services will be held at the Spearfish United Methodist Church at 10am on August 23, 2007. Graveside services are scheduled for 11am on August 24, 2007, at the Groton, SD, Cemetery followed by lunch at the Claremont United Methodist Church.

A memorial has been established to benefit the High Plains Western Heritage Center in Spearfish.

Ann Marie Schuller was born November 9, 1918, to Bert & Lucile (Winter) Schuller in Claremont. She grew up in the Claremont area, attended rural school & graduated from Claremont High School. She attended college at Northern State College in Aberdeen, SD, where she obtained her teaching certificate. She began her teaching career at a rural school located on the family farm. She later attended South Dakota State College in Brookings, SD, and obtained her bachelor's degree in education. Over the years she taught in Amherst, Claremont, Brookings, Madison, Mobridge & the Watertown area in South Dakota and Haywarden, IA. The well-being of her students was always her guiding principle. On August 13, 1943, she married Robert Matheny at Camp Campbell, KY. They moved frequently over the years due to his work and enjoyed each community they lived in. The United Methodist Church was an important part of her life and in each town they lived in she always participated fully in church activities.

During the years they spent in Pierre she thoroughly enjoyed the Legislative sessions & spent much of her time lobbying for her personal beliefs. Her involvement with the Oahe Issue during the 1970's was a highlight of her activities.

After retiring to Spearfish, Bob and Ann spent much of their time involved in volunteer activities including Meals on Wheels, Grace Balloch Memorial Library and especially working at the High Plains Western Heritage Center. She loved the history of each community she lived in and was interested in the preservation of each place.

Survivors include her husband Robert of Spearfish, daughter, Ann L. Matheny of Spearfish, nephew Roger (Shirley) Schuller, Claremont, SD, niece Linda (Blair) Tremere, Golden Valley, MN, grand nephew Matthew (Audrey) Schuller, Sioux Falls, SD. She was preceded in death by her parents and two brothers, Robert Schuller & George Schuller of Claremont, SD.

Arrangements are under the care Fidler-Isburg Funeral Chapels of Spearfish & Paetznick-Garness Funeral Chapel of Groton. Online condolences may be written at fidler-isburgfuneralchapels.com