Funeral services for Viva Z. Matyas, of Albert Lea, will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday at the Bonnerup Funeral Service Chapel. The Rev. Paul Aldrich will officiate. Visitation will be from 6-8 p.m. Wednesday at Bonnerup Funeral Service, Albert Lea. Interment will be in the Immanuel Lutheran Cemetery, Lakefield, Minn.

Mrs. Matyas died Sunday, Oct. 20, 2002, at the Albert Lea Medical Center. She was 105 years, 11 months and 29 days of age.

Viva was born Oct. 22, 1896, in Albert Lea, the daughter of Henry and Lettie (English) Leighty. She grew up in Glenville and graduated high school in Evansville, Wis.. She received training to be an elementary teacher at Winona State Teachers College. Viva taught in rural schools of Fillmore and Lac Qui Parle County, then in Sioux Falls, S.D., Minneapolis, Alden, and Albert Lea one year.

Viva was united in marriage to Thomas G. Matyas on June 25, 1938, in Glenville.

She was a thrifty, hard working individual and during her 37 years of school teaching she helped support her parents. Viva was a longtime member of Immanuel Lutheran Church, Lakefield.

Viva has lived at the Thorne Crest Retirement Center for the past 14 months. She previously made her home with Rudy and Anne Studier for the preceding nine years. She has been spiritually cared for by the Rev. Paul Aldrich from Zion Lutheran Church.

Viva is survived by two sisters: Nina Hauglum, 108 years of age, of Bloomington, and Laetetia Buley, living at Thorne Crest Retirement Center in Albert Lea. Also surviving are many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; three brothers: William, Carleton and Wedge; and two sisters: Ida Issel and Jane Kunkel.