Matthew R. Van Auken, age 33, of Bethel died May 13, 2016. Funeral services will be held at 2:00 P.M. Saturday, May 21st at Northern Lights Ballroom and Banquet Center, 10376 112th Ave., Milaca, MN 56353. (Pease Area). A visitation will be held one hour prior to the service. Military Honors will be provided by the Princeton American Legion Honor Guard and the National Guard.
Matthew Van Auken was born November 25, 1982, to Randall and Renee Van Auken (Stacy) in Minneapolis, MN. He graduated from Legacy (Meadow Creek) Christian Academy in Andover, MN in 2001. Matt entered the United States Army on May 19, 2004, where he served 3 years, 3 months and 21 days. During this service, he spent 1 year, 3 months and 19 days in Afghanistan. He served with RECON C CO 3/71st Calvary RSTA 10th Mountain Division as an Infantryman, which took him on multiple combat missions.
On August 8, 2008, his first child, Adrianna, was born. Matt started dating Cheryl Sweesy in 2011 and in 2013, he married the love of his life, Cheryl, in Anoka, Minnesota. On August 10, 2013, Matt and Cheryl had a baby girl they named Brooklyn. Matt now had three lovely girls in his life. They purchased a home in East Bethel, MN.
Cheryl noticed that each year around the time of the Memorial Day through the July 4th Holiday, Matt wished that people would celebrate the freedoms that many, many veterans had fought for in a very dangerous situations at home and abroad. Matt was so very proud of being in the military and that he was able to try to protect our country. Matt has always been ready to help anyone when they needed help.
Matt passed away at their home on 05/13/2016.
Matt is preceded in death by grandfather David Stacy, and Grandparents Richard and Marjorie Van Auken. He is survived by his wife Cheryl, daughters Adrianna and Brooklyn, father Randall Van Auken, mother Renee (Mark) Sagvold, brother Jordan (Amanda)Van Auken, and grandmother June Stacy. In-Laws: Parents Scott and Lynette Sweesy, sisters Cristine (Larry) Maurer, Catherine, Cirsten, Caitlyn, and Chelsea, brother Scott all Sweesy’s and grandparents Mervin and Carol Kirchner.
Thank you all for your time, prayers, and any help you may be able to provide. We will keep all of you in our prayers.
Memorial’s can be sent to their home or online at www.gofundme.com/VanAuken
Our deepest condolences,
Cathy (Meyer) Schram and Family
I met Matt years ago along with crissy and cheryl on one of our adventourous nights in Anoka. Matt and Cheryl had an instant connection. I warned Matt to be careful of breaking the heart of this beautiful girl and to remember what he had.. maybe scaring him just a little… ;). I knew then what he learned later on when he reconnected with Cheryl, the love was indeed special and something to hold on to. I was so ecstatic to learn that cheryl and matt were to reconnect years later and was so happy for them. Cheryl, i hope you know that no matter what demons he was struggling with internally, that his love for you was very real and very special. Im so thankful for the time he spent fighting for us and serving in the military in order for all of us to stay safe. Its not fair that his life was cut short and he lost his fight to PTSD due to fighting for all of us. I know one of the biggest fighters is you Cheryl and Im so deeply sorry for your loss and my prayers go out to you, your girls, and your family. Matt was a wonderful man and will be missed so much.
We would like to express our sincere condolences to your families loss.
I know for certain that we never lose the people we love, even to death.
They continue to participate in every act, thought, decision we make.
Their love leaves an indelible imprint in our memories.
We find comfort in knowing that our lives have been enriched by having shared their love.
~Leo Buscaglia
So sorry to hear of your loss, Cheryl. You and your family are in our prayers.