John 'Jake' Mathias

John “Jake” Mathias, 64 of Wabasha, passed away on February 13, 2026, from a massive heart attack.
Jake was born in Fort Polk, LA on January 27, 1962, to Ruth Ann (Sommers) and Gerald Mathias. He was a member of the Wabasha-Kellogg class of 1980. Jake served his country in the Army. He worked for many years at Wabasha Sand & Gravel along with Rochester Sand & Gravel as a heavy equipment operator. During his younger years, Jake did construction work out West, and also went to Florida to help with clean-up and construction following hurricane Andrew in '92.
Jake loved kids and animals. He had a great sense of humor and always had a story to tell. He loved country music. You could often find him tinkering with his projects, including his Hurst/Olds, listening to Johnny Cash or other old country stars. He also loved to garden and would provide family, friends and neighbors with a variety of fresh produce.
Jake will be dearly missed by family and friends, especially his mother, whom he visited almost daily at her residence in the care center.
Jake is survived by his mother, Ruth; siblings: Julie Smith, Shelly (David) Roberts, and Rob (Val) Mathias; nieces and nephews; Shane (Elizabeth Cherek) Stamschror, Allison (Brian) O’Neill, Abbey (Ben) Pollock, Carly (Cole) Tousignant, Melissa (Jason) Lawler; and 11 great nieces and nephews.
He is preceded in death by his father, Gerald; maternal and paternal grandparents; nephew Brandon Mathias; and brother-in-law Thomas Smith.
A celebration of life gathering was held from 2-5 p.m. on Sunday February 22, 2026, at the VFW-Burkhardt-Roemer Post 4086, Wabasha, MN. Interment will be at Riverview Cemetery, Wabasha in the spring.
Services entrusted to Abbott Funeral Home & Crematory, Wabasha, MN. Words of sympathy or remembrance may be left at www.abbottfh.com