Mattie Black

Mattie Louise Ramsey Black of Bruneau and Grand View passed away March 8, 2017, in Caldwell at the home of her daughter Paula and son in-law Jim's home. Mattie was born Aug. 24, 1917, in Little Valley, Idaho, to Mat and Lottie Dunham Ramsey.

She attended grade school at Little Valley Beehive School and graduated from Bruneau High School in 1936. Mattie moved to Boise to attend Catherine Griffin Cosmetology School, graduating in 1937. Mattie married Paul Black, the son of Joe and Virginia Tate Black, on April 5, 1938.

They spent their honeymoon at Paul's homestead on Battle Creek, the winter in Bruneau then on to the Black Rock Desert in Nevada to run horses where their son, Michael Lavon, was born. In 1941, Paul became the cattle foreman for the TS Ranch in Battle Mountain, Nev. Two daughters were born while in Nevada, Charlotte Louise and Paula Jean.

They moved back to Bruneau in 1947 and worked for Paul's brother, Albert. In 1951, they purchased the Fletcher Cullen Ranch on Sho Fly Creek, where they raised many fine horses, cattle, pigs, chickens and peacocks.

The door was always open for a hot meal, dessert and iced tea. Mattie and Paul adored each other, their children, nieces and nephews, grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Mattie worked hard on the ranch they both loved, but her great love was family history. She is the family historian and the original scrapbook queen. One of her greatest accomplishment was making each of her children and grandchildren complete history books of the Ramsey's and Black's. Everyone loves looking at Mattie's books.

Paul passed away in January 2009, and Mattie continued to live on the ranch. After a fall at the ranch in 2013, Mattie moved to Caldwell to live with Paula and Jim. She missed the ranch but adjusted well. She continued to work on history and scrapbook projects.

Mattie is survived by Cherry Meyers, Paula and Jim Hanks, 12 grandchildren, 31 great grandchildren, 10 great-great grandchildren, sister Beckie Janousek and sister-in-law Arlene Ramsey and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, Paul, son Mike and JoAnn, son-in-law Raymond Meyers, granddaughters Cheryl Meyers and Julie Meyers Lindquist; her siblings and spouses Elva and John Guisasola, Bud and Daisy Ramsey, Lee and Milt Taylor, Albert and Darlene Ramsey, Millie and Pat Patterson, Tony Ramsey, Bonnie and Steve Pascale; and brother in-law Clarance Janousek.

We would like to thank Horizon Hospice, especially Holly and Rocky, for the excellent care Mattie received. Memorials may be made to Grand View Ambulance, 573 No. Bennett Road, Grand View, ID 83624, American Legion Post #83, P.O. Box 582, Bruneau, ID 83604, or Bruneau Cemetery, 30073 Hot Springs Road, Bruneau, ID 83604.

A viewing will be March 12, from 4 to 6 p.m. at Rost Funeral Home, McMurtrey Chapel, 500 North 18th East St. in Mountain Home. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. at the American Legion Hall in Bruneau on March 13 with burial at the Bruneau Cemetery, and then a potluck dinner will be served at the Legion Hall for all of our friends and family.