Matthew Ryan "Matt" Brenner

SIDNEY - Funeral services for Matthew Brenner, 24, of Sidney, are at 2 p.m. Friday, May 2, 2014, at the Sidney High School gym, with Pastor Vicki Waddington of the Lonsdale United Methodist Church officiating. Interment will be in the Sidney Cemetery, under the direction of the Fulkerson Funeral Home of Sidney. Remembrances, condolences and pictures may be shared with the family at www.fulkersons.com. Suggested Memorials may be made to the Sidney Dollars for Scholars or the University of Montana or the Imagine Missoula Organization.

Matthew Ryan Brenner was born Aug. 15, 1989, to William and Joanne (Nordahl) Brenner in Sidney. Matt attended Sidney public schools, where he participated in numerous sports and was crowned homecoming king before graduating from Sidney High School in 2008. Following High School, he attended the University of Montana in Missoula. He graduated with a Bachelor's of Science in Accounting in 2013. Matt was a wonderful, fun loving, thoughtful, kind-hearted practical joker. He was most happy when he was helping others, affirmed by his recognition as outstanding student volunteer with the Imagine Missoula Organization in Missoula in 2013.

Matt enriched the lives of every person he knew, he was the glue that bonded everyone together. Countless people considered Matt their best friend. He always put others feelings before his. He was never too busy to take time for his friends and family and nothing was too great of a challenge for Matt where they were involved. Matt remained active with various hobbies. He enjoyed hunting trips at White Sulfur Springs with his dad, his cousins Mike and Scott Winchell, and other friends, where he acquired the nickname "Walt Biggins.".Matt loved music, teaching himself and learning to play guitar with his cousins, Mike and Scott, friends Damon Ratcliff, Tyrell McPherson, Brett Montgomery and others. He often entertained everyone playing his favorite songs around campfires at the lake.

Golf was a favorite sport for Matt. He was a power hitter, blasting the ball well past most of his competitors. He was an active member of the Sidney Country Club, working on the grounds crew for three summers, playing in men's league and various tournaments when he could. He was never happier than when he was working outdoors with his friends and family. Matt truly enjoyed water sports, they were always a part of his annual summer vacations at Flathead Lake with his family and friends. He loved jet-skiing, knee-boarding, water skiing and tubing. While attending the annual family gatherings at the lake, Matt enjoyed cooking along with his Grandma Mary Lou Brenner.

While attending college in Missoula, Matt spent as much time as possible on the slopes and became an accomplished snow skier. He visited many of the different resorts with his friends in western Montana. Matt also loved exploring the mountains and camping with friends, experiencing so much of nature's beauty that he never took for granted.

Matt enjoyed his life as a Grizzly during his college years, cheering enthusiastically at every athletic event that he attended. Matt will always be remembered for his participation in the kick for cash contest on Oct. 31, 2009, and Nov. 14, 2009, when Matt kicked not one, but two 45-yard field goals to win $10,000 in front of a roaring packed Griz stadium crowd.

Matt's most recent employment was at his father's accounting firm, where he made it through his first tax season. He had plans to move to Billings to work with his cousins in their landscaping business. Matt was a best friend to both his mom and his dad, whom he loved dearly. So much of his life was spent traveling and visiting family and friends. Matt was a role model for many, but most importantly, the best friend that anyone could have asked for. His many friends will carry a part of him with them forever, and his family will forever be blessed in remembering Matthew's life and the many gifts he offered with the time he shared with all.

Matthew died on Monday afternoon, April 28, 2014, at the Sidney Health Center.

Matthew is survived by parents, Bill and Joanne Brenner; aunts and uncles, Robert Brenner, Bill and Carol (Brenner) Winchell, Gregg and Gail (Nordahl) Schnieber, Debra Brenner and Leanne Nordahl; cousins, Brenda (Brenner) Wolfe, Mike and Rosalind Winchell, Scott and Dana Winchell, Kurtis and Suzanne Schnieber, Bryan and Susan (Schnieber) Kendrick, and Jonathan Schnieber.

Matt was preceded in death by grandparents, M.C. "Bun" and Mary Lou Brenner, Don and Florence Nordahl.

Always Loved, Forever Remembered: "Matt Matt," "Honey B," "Matthew R9 Brenner," "B," and of course, "Walt Biggins."