Brenda Marie (Latvala) Matzen

Brenda Marie Matzen, age 51, of Munising, died unexpectedly following a brief illness on Thursday evening, December 31, 2020 at UPHS Marquette.  She was born on November 9, 1969 in Munising to Robert and Christine (Tyner) Latvala.  Brenda was raised in Munising and graduated from Munising High School in 1988.  She worked as a cook at Napoli’s and then as a bartender at the Hunter’s Inn.  Brenda married Nicholas J. Matzen on July 26, 1996.  She worked at Holiday in Munising and then at the Christmas Kewadin Casino for many years for their Northern Rewards Customer Service.  Brenda then worked at Holiday in Wetmore before health concerns forced her to stop.  She really enjoyed spending time with her husband Nick and their dogs – Ashley and Gracie.  Together they fished, camped, bowled, and rode the dirt roads in the woods.  Brenda was sassy and lovingly bossy.  She also enjoyed playing bingo, taking trips to the casino, listening to rock and roll from the 80’s, and soaking up the sun.  Brenda loved her family and was a good wife, mom, niece, cousin and friend.

Brenda is survived by her husband – Nick Matzen of Munising; daughters – Nikki Matzen of Munising and Faith Matzen of Iron Mountain; mother – Christine Latvala of Munising; brother – Rob Latvala of Munising; grandchildren – Serena, Benjamin, Arianna, and Hunter; lifelong best friend – Karen (Scott) Mellon of Christmas; and numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends.  Brenda was preceded in death by her father – Robert Latvala, mother-in-law – Vivian Shepley, and grandparents Ruth Latvala Fitzgerald, Charlie and June Tyner, and Winolla Shepley.

Visiting time with family and friend will take place at the Bowerman Funeral Home in Munising on Monday, January 4, 2021. CoVid precautions and attendance regulations will be observed as directed by the MDHHS.  Masks will be required, and the funeral home staff will be assisting with social distancing and attendance restrictions.  If able, it is requested that if your last name begins with A -F, please attend between 1:00 to 2:00; G –L between 2:00 to 3:00; M - S between 3:00 to 4:00; and T - Z  between 4:00 to 5:00 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are requested to be made directly to the family.