Louie Junior Matucha was born March 10, 1938 on a farm near Burke, South Dakota to Louie and Sophie (Svoboda) Matucha. He died April 6, 2009 at McKennan Hospital in Sioux Falls, South Dakota at the age of 71 years.
Louie and his twin sister, Louise, attended all eight years at the Rembrandt Country School and graduated from Burke High School in 1957. He then joined the Army and was honorably discharged in 1962 to come home and run the family farm. In April of 1963 he was united in marriage to Lavina Frey and to this union four children were born.
Louie was active in many organizations. He served as Commander of the James Marsh Legion Post # 28 for many years. He was a member of the Odd Fellows Lodge # 189, where he served as Grand Master. He served as Chief Patriarch for the State of South Dakota and as a representative to the Sovereign Grand Lodge in St. Louis. He was also a member of the Rosebud Encampment Lodge #24, Rosebud Rebeccas #119, Canton Lodge #3 and WFLA Lodge #162. He served on the Gregory County Weed Board, the Gregory County Pork Producers and the Burke School Board for several years.
Louie was known for lending a hand whenever and wherever needed, playing bingo, a mean game of pitch and listening to his beloved polka music.
Louie was preceded in death by his parents, Louie and Sophie; his twin sister, Louise and a grandson, Brennan Matucha.
Louie is survived by his wife, Lavina of Burke, SD; a daughter, Lavonn Lytle-Voita of Pierre, SD and her children: Jonathan, Samantha, Justice and Daniel; his son, Lance (Kay) of Burke, SD and their children: Jessie, Jamie and Josey; his daughter, Larea Matucha of Burke, SD and her daughter Annalicia; his son Loris (Nikki) of Gregory, SD and their children: Bailee, Santanya, Lahna and Kyrie; his great-grandchildren: Mason, Brylee and Addie. He is also survived by his sister, Mary (Wes) Dappen; his aunts: Mary Wempe and Emma Juran and many relatives and friends.

Funeral services will be held on Friday, April 10, 2009 at 10:00 AM at the Civic Center in Burke. Burial will be in the Graceland Cemetery, Burke. There will be a prayer service on Thursday at 7:00 PM at the Civic Center. Visitation will be 1 hour prior to both services at the Civic Center. Memorials may be directed to Community Memorial Hospital in Burke.