John Maturen, died Jan. 9, 2021, at the age of 89. John was born in Minneapolis to Herbert and Margaret Maturen. He went to grade school at St. Andrew’s in Como Park and it was there he made some of his lifelong friends. Even though Herbert’s job with the U.S. Forest Service took the family to live in several states, John always thought of himself as a St. Paul, Como Park boy.
John attended St. Thomas College (University of St. Thomas.) He remained an ardent supporter of his beloved alma mater his entire life, and while there met many lifelong friends. After college graduation and his first of three years in the U.S. Air Force, John married Clare Dech. John and Clare began married life as John completed years two and three at the U.S. Air Force base in Duluth.
After that, they moved to St. Paul and welcomed their firstborn Daniel, and John began his education career, teaching math at De LaSalle High School in Minneapolis. A year later, John accepted a position to teach and coach at Mahtomedi High School. The young family moved to White Bear Lake, and during these years welcomed daughters Michele and Stephanie. The growing family moved to their wonderful family home in Mahtomedi after John earned his M.S. in Education from University of St. Thomas and became assistant principal at Mahtomedi. There they welcomed son Paul. John, Clare and family loved Mahtomedi and having access to White Bear Lake, and made this their home for 27 years.
After John earned his specialist degree in education from UST, he became principal of Mahtomedi Middle School, and after a few years, John’s career took him to South St. Paul. John retired as principal of SSP High in 1993, which ended his career in secondary education. In “retirement,” he worked at St. Catherine University and UST as an educator in their secondary teaching programs.
John was a dedicated Catholic and an active member of several parishes including St. Jude of the Lake in Mahtomedi, St. Peter’s in Forest Lake and the Church of the Assumption in St. Paul.
John loved spending time with his wife and family.
He loved Minnesota sports and was an avid Twins fan, and was proud to watch them win the World Series in ’87 and ’91. He volunteered at St. Joseph’s Hospital and Dorothy Day Center for years.
John was preceded in death by his parents Herbert and Margaret, brother David, sister Mary; grandchild Reid Weiland; and his beloved aunt Ida Mae. He is survived by his wife of 65 years, Clare; his four children and their spouses, Daniel (Deb), Michele, Stephanie (Steve) Weiland, and Paul (Amy); seven grandchildren; and a great-granddaughter. Memorials preferred to Our Lady of Peace Hospice or the Dorothy Day Center at Catholic Charities of St. Paul.
