Josephine Mathern

Minot

Josephine “Josie” Mathern, 88, Minot, died Tuesday, September 23, 2025, in a Velva care center surrounded by her loving family.

Josephine was born February 28, 1937 in Bowdle, SD, the daughter of Peter and Rosina (Imberry) Heilman. Josie was raised on the family farmstead near Bowdle, SD by her father and eldest sister after her mother died when she was just two years old. Josie attended country school until joining the workforce and assisting area farm wives with housework, cooking, and milking cows.

One sunny summer day, her brother Ray brought home a friend, Blasé Mathern, and it was love at first sight. A year later, on October 19, 1954, Blasé and Josephine were united in marriage in Bowdle, SD. They made their home on the Mathern family farmstead near Napoleon, ND where she continued to work for area farm wives. Josie and Blasé were blessed with two daughters Marietta and Brenda and three sons Blasé Jr., Barry and Lonny.

In 1957, they moved to Minot, ND where Josie found work at the Minot Air Force Base ironing and cleaning Airman’s’ uniforms. She was also a house cleaner for various Minot area families but found her knack in sales when she began working as a sales consultant for cosmetic and health companies. She owned and operated Kim’s Oriental Food Store for eight years then was employed at Mandell’s until their closure and joined General Nutrition Center (GNC) in the Dakota Square Mall in Minot.

Josie loved helping people and found her calling working in home health where she earned the title “God’s Angel on Earth.” She assisted many families throughout the years, making life-long friends and capturing their hearts through the love, kindness, and compassion she showed toward others. Josie depended on the Holy Spirit to guide her and give her strength, especially after Blasé’s death in 2011.

Josephine continued to reside in Minot and occupied her time by traveling, crocheting, reading, baking, volunteering and becoming actively involved in the community. She was a faithful member of Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church, Minot where she served as Eucharistic Minister and belonged to the Confraternity of Christian Mothers. She was involved with United Hearts of Jesus and Mary, After 5 Club (Stonecroft Ministries) as ticket chairman, and Women’s Aglow as a greeter, along with being a past member of the Moose Lodge. Josie found comfort in praying the rosary and especially enjoyed her weekly meetings with her prayer partner.

Josie will be deeply missed by all who shared in her life.

Josephine’s loving family includes her children Marietta (Larry) Lemon, Minot, ND, Blasé, Jr. (Cathy) Mathern, Wellington, CO, Barry (Nancy Andersen) Mathern, Columbia Falls, MT, Brenda Mathern, Surprise, AZ and Lonny (Diana Nadeau) Mathern, Surrey, ND, grandchildren Lance (Jenn) Lemon, Alicia (Chad) Johnson, Casey Lemon, Joshua Mathern, Dwan Sherwood, Trisha (Mike) Cosimeno, Eli (Brittany) Mathern, Myles (Ciara) Mathern, Ian (Megan) Mathern, Kali Mathern, Ben (Becky) Mathern and Mindy (Rob Russell) Mathern, 26 great-grandchildren, sister-in-law Eleanor Heilman, Aberdeen, SD along with numerous nieces and nephews.

Josephine was preceded in death by her parents, devoted husband Blasé, brothers Joe, Pius, George and Ray Heilman, sisters Florence Malson, Rose Lauinger, Magdaline Gisi, and Virginia Schmalz, sister-in-law Erlis Heilman and brother-in-law Sebastian.

Mass of Christian Burial: 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, September 30, 2025 at Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church, Minot. View a recording of the service, available (10/1), or share memories and condolences at www.thomasfamilyfuneralhome.com.

Recitation of the Holy Rosary: 7:00 p.m. Monday, September 29th at Thomas Family Funeral Home, Minot.

Interment: Rosehill Memorial Park, Minot

Visitation: Monday from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. in the funeral home.

Published by The Minot Daily News, September 26, 2025.