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Klein’s tenacity for this life came to an end on Friday, May 13, 2016 at Abbot Northwestern Hospital in Minneapolis, MN. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10:30 AM Tuesday, May 17, 2016 at St. Catherine’s Catholic Church in Valley City with Msgr. Dennis Skonseng celebrant and Deacon Ed Didier assisting. Visitation will be from 5PM until 7PM Monday at St. Catherine’s Church with a Prayer Service beginning at 7PM. Interment will be in Sacred Heart Cemetery at Sanborn, ND.
Born in Valley City to James and Virginia (Crawford), Matt grew up on the family farm near Eckelson, ND. He graduated from Valley City High School in 1992 and earned his bachelor’s degree from Valley City State University in 1996. His banking profession began after college graduation where he worked for Community First Bank with brief stints in the Decorah, IA and Denver, CO areas, then Fargo. He accepted a position with what was then State Bank & Trust (Bell State Bank & Trust), where he developed lifelong friendships.
In late April of 2003, Matt suffered an unexpected brain stem stroke that left him paralyzed from the mouth down, unable to move, talk, or eat. What would have broken the spirit of most, Matt fought like no one we’ve known, not only to survive the initial stroke, but to overcome the limitations given him and continued to live life to the fullest. While living in Golden Valley, MN, he worked part-time for Western Products of Fargo. After Bell State Bank expanded to the Twin Cities, he served on the board of a branch near his home.
One of Matt’s favorite things to do each year was attend WeFest in Detroit Lakes, where many of the performers over the years had their picture taken with Matt. His true passion was family and friends. Communicating through social media and email, Matt didn’t want to miss out on any of the important things going on in people’s lives. Even knowing that a long trip to attend a niece’s wedding or a godchild’s confirmation could seriously jeopardize his own life, he made the effort to be there for that special day.
Matt is survived by Almira Toopy Klein, his sisters: Mary Pat (Steve) Randal, Helena, MT, Maureen (Dave) Lettenmaier, Sanborn, Julie (Brad) Klein-Roreig, Chandler, AZ, Chris, Moorhead, MN, Lisa (Mark) Becker, McHenry, ND, Amy (Tim) Loven, East Grand Forks, MN, and Eileen (the late Len) Blanchard, White Fish Bay, WI; and brothers: Tim, St. Louis Park, MN, Brian, San Francisco, CA, Dan (Patty) Klein, Valley City, and Tom (Brenda), Wausau, WI; along with numerous nieces and nephews and great nieces and nephews. He is also survived by aunts and uncles: Robert Klein, Sr, Gene and Dorothy Klein, and Dorothy Klein Ost, all of Valley City.
Preceding Matt in death were his parents; a brother, Shawn; and a brother-in-law, Len Blanchard.
An online guest book is available at www.lerudschuldt.com.