Malvina Pauline Guinther, 96, of Sioux City passed away Sunday, June 9, 2013, at Westwood Nursing and Rehab Center.
Services will be 10 a.m. Thursday at Larkin Chapel, Christy-Smith Funeral Home. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery. A luncheon will be held at the funeral home following the burial. Visitation will be 4 to 7 p.m. today at the funeral home.
Malvina was born on April 7, 1917, in Homer, Neb., to John and Dora (Turgeon) Mattus. Malvina moved to Dakota City in 1922 and attended school in Homer and Dakota City. She went to high school in Climbing Hill, Iowa. Malvina's first job was working for Ralph Jordon helping him sell vegetables across from IBP. When Malvina was young, she walked to the movies across the combination bridge and would pay a nickel. She helped her Grandpa with his repair shop in Dakota City, while going to school in Dakota City.
She was united in marriage to Elmer "Buzz" Guinther in 1955 and they moved to Elk Point, S.D., where they started Load King Trailer with the Hanson family. She had four children, Jack in 1937, Joan 1936, Sharron 1940 and Tom in 1946. Malvina was a long-time resident of Sioux City and helped Buzz start Guinther Welding, which she later passed on to Jack and Tom. After Buzz passed away in 1966, Malvina enjoyed taking care of friends and a few strays along the way. Malvina lost both her mother and Buzz in 1966, which was a very sad time for all.
She loved her home and had a beautiful yard and garden. With a little help from Malvina, her friend, Doug Holland, was able to do the yard maintenance in a proper manner.
She entered Westwood Nursing and Rehab Center in 2012, where she received excellent care from Samantha, Cindy, Paula, Velma and Jack. She was very much missed by Keith and Cami, Kelly and Scott, Tom and Vicky, Dr. Cindy Lewin, the caregivers from hospice, Valerie, Deb, Robin, and many friends over the years. Thank you to all.
Malvina enjoyed friends at the Argosy and made small donations from time to time. Malvina had a great 90th birthday party along with some of the relatives and friends and nieces, Susan and her husband and Jeanie and her husband, and good good friends, Lila and Jim Mehess. 128 privileged patrons attended. Malvina was a very proud person of her family and friends, and never complained or asked for anything. She could never understand why all the people she loved went before she did. I’m sure someone was saving the best for last.
Those left to honor her memory include her son, Tom (Vicky) Freeman of Sioux City; two nephews, Keith (Cami) Nickels, and Davis Berger; and niece, Kelly (Scott) Staum.
She is preceded in death by her parents; husband, Buzz; children, Joan, Jack, and Sharron; and sisters, Thelma Mattus, Dorothy Herbst and Bob Nafziger.
Memorials may be made to the family.