Return to Notable Former Nebraska Legislators
Sen. Stanley Matzke, Sr.
Return to Notable Former Nebraska Legislators
Stanley A. Matzke's contributions to Nebraska encompassed the areas of education, law, journalism, agriculture and water resources.
"He had a vast knowledge in many fields. ... He taught me many things," said fellow Sen. Richard Proud at the time of Matzke's death in 1969.
Matzke was born July 27, 1898, in Seward County and attended Milford High School. He served in World War I and graduated from the University of Nebraska College of Law in 1924.
He returned to Seward County and served as the county attorney from 1927 to 1935. He practiced law in the Seward area until 1945, when he was appointed director of the Nebraska Department of Insurance, a position he held until 1946.
He was first elected to the Legislature in 1940 and was re-elected in 1942, 1964 and 1966. As a senator, Matzke was chairman of the Education Committee and the Legislative Council.
In his early years at the Legislature, Matzke's legislation established the Nebraska Vocation-Technical School at Milford, which was the start of a statewide system of community colleges. Later, he was interested in the development of water resources in the state and authored many papers on water conservation. He received several awards for his contributions to water and soil conservation.
He was the farm editor of the Nebraska State Journal from 1946 to 1951 and was cited for helping that newspaper win the Pulitzer Prize for the most objective and meritorious public service by any U.S. newspaper in 1948. He later worked as a legislative and farm reporter and radio commentator for KRVN in Lexington from 1952 to 1969.
He also served as assistant to the general manager of the Central Nebraska Public Power and Irrigation District in Hastings from 1953 to 1963.
Among Matzke's many honors, were: the Concordia Teachers College Award of Distinguished Service in recognition for his legislative service and leadership in education and journalism; a Merit Award for service to agriculture from Gamma Sigma Delta, the National Honor Society of Agriculture; and the Ak-Sar-Ben Agricultural Achievement Award.
Several of Matzke's relatives followed his footsteps into public service. One of his sons, Gerald Matzke of Sidney, was a state senator for the 47th District. Dr. Jay Matzke, son of Gerald Matzke, served on the Millard school board in Omaha and was recognized for his efforts for educational reform. Another of Matzke's sons, Stanley Matzke Jr., was director of the state Department of Administrative Services from 1973 to 1978, and director of the Nebraska Department of Economic Development from 1971 to 1973.
