Elvira "Sam" Margaret Mattioli

Elvira Margaret (Varriano) Mattioli, affectionately known as “Sam”, of Detroit Lakes, MN passed away peacefully on May 15, 2024 at Essentia Hospital in Fargo, ND. Elvira was born June 11, 1939, the daughter of Joseph and Carmella Varriano of Dilworth, MN. She grew up in Dilworth with her 14 siblings. She received her bachelor’s degree in education from Moorhead State Teacher’s College in 1961 and spent most of her teaching career in Detroit Lakes. She taught kindergarten and first grade for over 30 years and loved her profession and each of the children she taught. After retiring from teaching, Sam spent much of her time volunteering at Holy Rosary Catholic School and Church. Sam was a member of the Catholic Daughters and Christian Mothers. Sam married Tom Mattioli on June 18, 1966. They were married for 52 years, until Tom’s death.

Sam enjoyed gardening, singing at church, canning, making homemade jelly and visiting with family and friends. She was known for her genuine love of children, her deep Catholic faith, and warm generous heart. She loved all of her many nieces and nephews and welcomed everyone into her heart and home. She had many friends from her church who were like family to her.

Sam is survived by her siblings, Patrick (Donna) Varriano, Tony (Karel) Varriano, Richard Varriano, Anna (Lyle) Hornbacher, Philomena Nelson, Elizabeth (Jim) Varriano-Marston, sisters in law, Mary Ann Varriano and Barbara (Varriano) Hegre, and many extended family. She is also survived by her special friends, Paul and Kaitlyn Ahles, her church family at Holy Rosary Catholic Church, and special friends, Erika and Sayla Kraft.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Tom Mattioli, her parents Joseph and Carmella Varriano, and her siblings, Carmen Varriano, John “Blackie” Varriano, Leonard Varriano, Cosmo Varriano, Antoinette “Teddy” Freeman, Delores Varriano, Asunta Jensen and Rosemarie Wickum.

Mass of Christian Burial will be on Tuesday July 2, 2024; 12 noon at the Holy Rosary Catholic Church in Detroit Lakes, MN. Visitation will be on Monday July 1, 2024 from 5:00 – 8:00 p.m. at the Holy Rosary Catholic Church and from 10:00 a.m. until the time of the Mass on Tuesday. Interment will be in the Holy Rosary Church Cemetery. In Lieu of flowers, the family prefers memorial donations be made to Holy Rosary Catholic Church. The West-Kjos Funeral Home of Detroit Lakes has been entrusted with the arrangements.