Karl Matthes
May 4, 1932 — February 3, 2023
Karl Heinz Matthes, 90, of Mt. Rainier, MD passed away peacefully
at his home on Friday Feb 3rd, 2023. He was born in Berlin, Germany on
May 4th, 1932 to Edith and Karl Matthes.
After his father died early in his life, he and his mother survived on
food rations and the generosity of the American GI’s during WWII. He
was so impressed with their kindness and stories of America that he
immigrated to the US in 1951.
He joined the Army in 1956, and shortly after, met Guadalupe
Barriga when he was stationed at Ft. Bliss, TX. They were married in
El Paso, TX in 1957 and settled in Maryland in 1958.
Shortly thereafter, he started his long career at Giant Food where
he retired in 1997. He was passionate about civic involvement, running
for congress in 1974 and was very active at St. James Church as well as
St. Jerome, DeMatha and Elizabeth Seton High Schools.
He is survived by his wife of 65 years Lupe, children Maggie,
Angie, Ray and Tony, daughter in laws Deb and Kathleen, grandchildren
Colleen, Sean, Karl and Mark.
Viewing and Service will be held on Friday Feb 17 at Gasch’s
Funeral Home, 4739 Baltimore Ave Hyattsville, MD 20781. Viewing at
11am, Service at 12pm, followed immediately by a reception.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to St. James Catholic