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Matthew Wacker Obituary
Matthew (Matt) William Wacker, 52
It is with tremendous sadness that we announce the passing of Matthew (Matt) William Wacker, 52, who left us on June 24, 2024, due to a blood clot and heart related complications due to diabetes. His family surrounded him at the time of his unexpected death. Matt was born February 24, 1972, in Brookfield, Wisconsin, to Clarence Wacker and Frances Ketcher Wacker. He was the youngest of six siblings, including a sister, Claire, and four brothers, Michael, James, Gregory, and Wayne. Matt attended the University of Wisconsin- Milwaukee and graduated with a degree in history and minoring in Native American Studies. He earned his Secondary Teaching Certification from The University of Alaska- Fairbanks. Matt was a devoted Daddy, Husband, Son, Brother, Uncle, Co-Worker, and Friend (on and off of Facebook).
Matt and Natalie Sorensenwere married 20 years during which time they experienced a lot of life events together such as cancer surgeries, diabetic blood sugar issues, a decade-long wait for adoption of a child, moves, and travels around the world. They had the opportunity to live for seven years in remote Alaskan villages and created many memories together such as; ten years together parenting Luke, raising a husky sled dog named Mogul, living in a cabin with a two-seater outhouse (side-by-side not double decker), waking up to the sounds of whales, learning to fly a small piper cub plane, and collecting hundreds of Japanese glass fishing floats. Natalie will deeply miss her other-half in raising Luke to be the best person he can be.
The most significant and important role in Matt's life was being Luke's father. Luke said "my daddy was a smiley guy". Matt always had a smile on his face especially anytime Luke was around. He cherished every moment spent with his son. Matt watched every baseball, soccer, basketball game, skiing event, and musical concert Luke participated in. Matt and Luke built several model airplanes and spent hours flying RC planes. Matt, a natural educator, taught Luke all he knew about music, lawnmowers, cooking, safely weed-waking, making a bed, caring for pets, using a chainsaw, vintage cars, multiplication tables, and drawing. The proud papa shared his love of music with Luke by singing him to sleep most nights, usually; lyrics from Grateful Dead songs, Beatles, or The Who. When Luke was an infant Matt carried Luke on his back into a Paul McCartney concert His love for Luke was unwavering. Matt loved his "Bubba" Luke no matter what forever and always!
Matt approached life with his uniquely humorous perspective. On one of his birthdays Matt went out to "get a diet coke" and four hours/ 220 miles later, he brought home his beloved emotional support service dog named Anna to join our family because "the boy needed a dog and the dog needed a boy." Matt's mind was unparalleled. It was a treasure trove of countless family memories, random trivia facts, and never ending sarcastic jokes always at the ready.
Matt's professional journey led him to the role of a Family Support Specialist at the Child Development Center where he helped numerous families with children with special needs get services. His dedication to his job and his witty humor endeared him to his families he served, leaving a lasting impression on all who knew him.
Services celebrating his life will be on Thursday, July 25, 2024, at 2:15 PM at Risen Christ Catholic Church on 65 W Evergreen Drive in Kalispell, MT. Please plan to attend the luncheon that will follow the service. A burial will take place at a later date.
In lieu of flowers/etc:: Luke Sorensen's, 529 education fund, Account # 4000733472, Capital Bank & Trust Company ,PO Box 6164, Indianapolis, IN, 46206-6164
or https://www.mealtrain.com/trains/5zkozz
"We will get by, we will survive." … a moment at a time.
It is with tremendous sadness that we announce the passing of Matthew (Matt) William Wacker, 52, who left us on June 24, 2024, due to a blood clot and heart related complications due to diabetes. His family surrounded him at the time of his unexpected death. Matt was born February 24, 1972, in Brookfield, Wisconsin, to Clarence Wacker and Frances Ketcher Wacker. He was the youngest of six siblings, including a sister, Claire, and four brothers, Michael, James, Gregory, and Wayne. Matt attended the University of Wisconsin- Milwaukee and graduated with a degree in history and minoring in Native American Studies. He earned his Secondary Teaching Certification from The University of Alaska- Fairbanks. Matt was a devoted Daddy, Husband, Son, Brother, Uncle, Co-Worker, and Friend (on and off of Facebook).
Matt and Natalie Sorensenwere married 20 years during which time they experienced a lot of life events together such as cancer surgeries, diabetic blood sugar issues, a decade-long wait for adoption of a child, moves, and travels around the world. They had the opportunity to live for seven years in remote Alaskan villages and created many memories together such as; ten years together parenting Luke, raising a husky sled dog named Mogul, living in a cabin with a two-seater outhouse (side-by-side not double decker), waking up to the sounds of whales, learning to fly a small piper cub plane, and collecting hundreds of Japanese glass fishing floats. Natalie will deeply miss her other-half in raising Luke to be the best person he can be.
The most significant and important role in Matt's life was being Luke's father. Luke said "my daddy was a smiley guy". Matt always had a smile on his face especially anytime Luke was around. He cherished every moment spent with his son. Matt watched every baseball, soccer, basketball game, skiing event, and musical concert Luke participated in. Matt and Luke built several model airplanes and spent hours flying RC planes. Matt, a natural educator, taught Luke all he knew about music, lawnmowers, cooking, safely weed-waking, making a bed, caring for pets, using a chainsaw, vintage cars, multiplication tables, and drawing. The proud papa shared his love of music with Luke by singing him to sleep most nights, usually; lyrics from Grateful Dead songs, Beatles, or The Who. When Luke was an infant Matt carried Luke on his back into a Paul McCartney concert His love for Luke was unwavering. Matt loved his "Bubba" Luke no matter what forever and always!
Matt approached life with his uniquely humorous perspective. On one of his birthdays Matt went out to "get a diet coke" and four hours/ 220 miles later, he brought home his beloved emotional support service dog named Anna to join our family because "the boy needed a dog and the dog needed a boy." Matt's mind was unparalleled. It was a treasure trove of countless family memories, random trivia facts, and never ending sarcastic jokes always at the ready.
Matt's professional journey led him to the role of a Family Support Specialist at the Child Development Center where he helped numerous families with children with special needs get services. His dedication to his job and his witty humor endeared him to his families he served, leaving a lasting impression on all who knew him.
Services celebrating his life will be on Thursday, July 25, 2024, at 2:15 PM at Risen Christ Catholic Church on 65 W Evergreen Drive in Kalispell, MT. Please plan to attend the luncheon that will follow the service. A burial will take place at a later date.
In lieu of flowers/etc:: Luke Sorensen's, 529 education fund, Account # 4000733472, Capital Bank & Trust Company ,PO Box 6164, Indianapolis, IN, 46206-6164
or https://www.mealtrain.com/trains/5zkozz
"We will get by, we will survive." … a moment at a time.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Published by Daily Inter Lake on Jul. 21, 2024.
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