Longtime Concordia Nebraska employee Holly Matzke serves university with time, talents and treasures

Holly Matzke has worked for Concordia University, Nebraska in various full-time and part-time administration roles for more than 40 years. 

“She has very humbly and very joyfully supported Concordia for many years,” explained Concordia Nebraska Senior Director for Development and Engagement Scott Seevers. “She has a generous spirit and volunteers in several capacities with organizations in Seward County.” 

Matzke served the university full time from August 7, 1967, to August 3, 2016, retired, transitioned to part time roles and is now transitioning from a part-time role to volunteer status. One way she served was with the Concordia University Guild as executive secretary.  

“There were many of us making cakes cookies for student birthdays. The funds we raised went to the Guild and scholarships. The guild aged out eventually, but the scholarships are still given. I’ve also provided support to churches that support the university through CCUNE scholarships. I just stay busy. I live out in the country, so I’ve got things to do all the time,” she said. “There was an opportunity for me to continue after I retired with the Guild, switchboard and as CCUNE administrative assistant. It has been nice to continue on a part-time basis after retirement.” 

This is a good place, and it’s pretty apparent that God is blessing it. We must be doing a lot of things right. It’s important to be part of something like that. The students are very blessed to have a place like Concordia. I want people to know that this is the place to send your child for a great education.

She lives six miles from Seward in a farmhouse that sits on family farmland. She’s lived there all her life. 

“Back in the day there were high school business classes and things you could take to learn how to be a secretary. I’ve served the university in so many different ways. I was in food service. I helped in public relations. I helped in advancement. I had a lot of different responsibilities,” she said. “This is a good place, and it’s pretty apparent that God is blessing it. We must be doing a lot of things right. It’s important to be part of something like that. The students are very blessed to have a place like Concordia. I want people to know that this is the place to send your child for a great education.” 

Matzke is very involved in the community. In addition to being a long-time part of the Concordia community, she is the treasurer for her high school class, planning reunions, activities and events. She previously served as a Sunday School teacher and as Sunday School superintendent. In 2010, she was inducted into the Nebraska Poll Worker Hall of Fame for 20 years of service. 

“It’s good to be part of the community, to serve and to take part in things that are important to you,” she said. 

In various ways, she supports the unincorporated community of Ruby, Nebraska, which features a tiny 1883 town hall, a grain elevator and a small cemetery. Her mother, Mildred, was the unofficial mayor of Ruby, and Holly assisted her mother as the caretaker of the Ruby Town Hall for many years. Holly continues in the role today. 

“We’ve remodeled the outside of the town hall. I’ve served as secretary/treasurer of the cemetery association since 1981,” she explained. “It has been my pleasure to support that.”  

She said she has enjoyed watching the university grow and change over the years.  

“We have a wonderful leader in university president Dr. Bull. I’m excited to see what God has planned for the university,” she said. “I’m currently transitioning from a part-time employee to a volunteer. I’m still on campus quite often. I’m trying to clean up things, share things I know, organize things I’ve left behind. Eight years ago when I retired, I sent a lot of things that I was carrying around to university historian Jerry Pfabe.” 

Matzke said she is always amazed yet happy to look around at her colleagues and see others who have served the university for decades, and that for many attending and serving at Concordia Nebraska is a tradition that spans generations.  

“After spending a lot of years there and seeing that, that gives me hope. This is a great spot,” she said. “I wouldn’t trade the opportunities I’ve had to meet some of the great people I worked with and interacted with here. It’s fun to have names come up and remember the people and the things over the years.” 

This March, we invite you to join us for Seeds of Generosity, a month-long celebration of giving and impact at Concordia University, Nebraska. Together, we’re sowing seeds of faith, learning and service that will grow for generations to come. Every gift—whether large or small—helps sustain our mission to provide Christ-centered education, support our students and prepare servant leaders for the church and the world.