Matthew Joseph Maurer

We heartbreakingly announce the unexpected passing of Matthew Joseph Maurer, age 44, of Duluth, MN after suffering sudden heart failure. He was born in St. Cloud, MN to Kevin and Linda Maurer. When Matt was six years old the family moved to a small farm in Hibbing, MN. Matt often talked about playing in the barn with his sisters and going to the garden to pick fixings to make a garden omelet. Matt was first chair trumpet player at Hibbing HS and had fond memories of marching band. He had a close group of friends from childhood that have stayed close over the years. They had an annual fishing trip that usually didn’t lead to any fish being brought home, but lots of memories of cold beers, music, stories, and friendship. Matt graduated from Hibbing HS and attended UMD where he graduated with a Business Degree. During college at 19 years old, he met his wife, Sakura, and even proposed to her the first night they met! They married in 2004 after college, and due to Matt’s job at MN Deer Hunters Association, they started their life in Grand Rapids, MN and welcomed their son, Eli Matthew. Four years later, he accepted a new job with Optum Health in Duluth, MN and welcomed their daughter, Aika Lynn. Matt was a loving husband and his children were his everything and purpose. The family enjoyed playing in the backyard together, biking to Lake Superior to skip rocks and look for agates, traveling, camping, and simply being together. Matt loved traveling, cooking and grilling, serving meals, showing off Aika’s violin skills (or as Matt called it fiddling), hunting with Eli, his dad, family, and having cold beers with friends while listening to good music. 

He will be deeply missed by those who love him including his wife, Sakura; son, Eli; daughter, Aika; his parents, Kevin and Linda Maurer; sisters, Leah (Sean) MacLeod and Marie (Dan) Harke; mother-in-law, Aiko Sprecher; brother-in-law, James (Yuki) Sprecher; nieces and nephews, Gavin, Sienna, Louise, Sylvia, Sena, Jin, and Nina; aunts, uncles, and cousins; and many friends. He is preceded in death by his grandparents; and his father-in-law, Jim Sprecher. 

A Memorial Service will be held on Monday, July 1 at 11:00 am with a visitation starting at 10:00 am in Lakeview Covenant Church, 1001 Jean Duluth Rd, Duluth, MN 55804.