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Matthew Michael Brandt
1961 - 2023
Matthew Michael Brandt
1961 - 2023
Obituary
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Matthew Brandt Obituary
Matt Brandt, 61, died on Wednesday, February 1, 2023 in his home in Cedar Rapids, after a 13 month battle with glioblastoma. Funeral Mass will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, February 4, 2023 at St. Pius X Catholic Church by Rev. Jon Seda in Cedar Rapids. Burial will be at Mt. Olivet Cemetery, Waukon, IA. A Vigil will be held at 4 p.m., Friday at Teahen Funeral Home. Those not attending the Vigil Service may visit with the family from 4:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the funeral home or after 10 a.m. on Saturday at the church.
Matt is survived by his wife of 36 years, Mary Kay of Cedar Rapids; his sons, Peter of Houston, TX, Stephen, his wife Alise and their daughter Banks of Williamsburg, IA, and Joseph and his wife Amberly and their daughter Villanelle of Louisville, KY; daughter, Rachel of New York, NY; siblings, Julie of Cary, NC, Tom (Linda) of St. Paul, MN, Paul (Karen) of Kalona, IA, and Mark (Jennie) of Minneapolis, MN; and many loving extended family.
Matthew Michael Brandt was born March 5, 1961 in Waukon, IA the son of Kenneth “Cod” and Betty (Byrnes) Brandt. He graduated from Waukon High School in 1979 and from Iowa State University in 1983 with a degree in nuclear engineering. On May 3, 1986 Matthew married Mary Kathryn Troupe at Sacred Heart Church in Waterloo, IA. For 37 years he was a reactor engineer at Duane Arnold Energy Center in Palo while raising his four children in Cedar Rapids. Matt retired from the DAEC in November 2020 and began working for GE Hitachi in 2021 until his death. Matt was an active member of the local theater community, and a member and musician at St. Pius X Catholic Church.
Matt enjoyed running marathons, bicycling, baking delicious breads and making wine. He liked to submit, “Letters to the Editor,” and tune in to the Iowa Public Radio Studio One “Beatles Medley,” along with spending time with his family. He will be missed dearly by his family and friends.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to, Theatre Cedar Rapids or Iowa Public Radio Studio One, “Beatles Medley.”
42 Entries
Steve Flage
March 7, 2023
I was a classmate of Matt's and always remember Matt's sharp mind and wit. He was a kind and gentle soul, and although we lost track of each other post-college, always fondly remember Matt's cheerful spirit. May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.
Timothy Wayne van Deest
February 10, 2023
Mr. Brandt ~ Always such a bearer of good will and upbeat friendliness when I ever ran in to him. His enthusiasm for and volunteering with the Regis boys tennis team was so commendable. His constant encouragement to all of the lads and his depth of conversations to me were always spirited and memorable.
Our Almighty Everlasting Heavenly Father needed him now ~
Mark Kerndt
February 10, 2023
I am so sorry to learn of the passing of Matt. My deepest condolences to his entire family. I was Matt's room mate in college at Iowa State for three years. We had many good times together and I will remember him fondly. I regret not staying in touch over the years, but reading his obituary, his life was lived as I expected - very successful with a loving family and well respected by all he encountered. It is touching to see Matt pictured in a "DX" shirt in honor of his dad's old gas station in Waukon. Rest in peace my old friend.
Amy Tolhurst
February 6, 2023
My heartfelt condolences to you and your family - Matt was a great person and positively touched everyone he interacted with while at GE. I am glad he was part of our GE family. Prayers are with you all...
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Colleen Reilly
February 6, 2023
To the Brandt Family: I am so very sorry you've lost such a special person, but hope that you draw comfort and joy from the many memories you created together. Matt and I worked at Iowa Electric/DAEC and were both Mighty Cyclones. I loved how he was usually sporting some kind of Iowa State gear on his runs/bike rides. He will be missed so very much.
Ed McVey
February 4, 2023
Matt was a Nuclear industry colleague of mine. I worked for a different company than he did, but we attended many industry events together. He was a highly respected member of our industry best practices committee. We maintained contact after my retirement as well. He was always very respectful to everyone and helped to leave a lasting impact on an industry he loved very much. Outside of our meetings, I often would attend sporting events with Matt at one of the local professional sports venues. It was always fun talking about the Bears and Cubs with him. He will be missed, but please know that he made a lasting impression on many.
Karie Schatz
February 4, 2023
Matt was possibly the friendliest person I have ever met. I don't think there was one time that he passed me on a run and didn't stop to ask how I and my family were or to chat with my friend and I (we walk in the early morning) and he always parted with "Have a great day!". Have missed his greetings this past year but I will always consider it a blessing to have known him.
Lauren Crippes
February 4, 2023
So sorry for your loss.
Lauren & Joe Crippes
Al & Vicki Fritz
February 4, 2023
May God be with you Mary Kay and your family at this very sad time. Matt was always kind and friendly when our paths crossed. We have fond memories of the time our boys spent together with your boys when they were very young!
Morgan Muell
February 4, 2023
I never met Matt personally, but through his daughter Rachel I learned all about what a great guy he was. I always love the annual Brandt family jingle jog photos and tuning into the Beatles Medley. He is a model of a loving father. May he rest in peace.
John Karrick
February 3, 2023
As a co-worker, Matt always had a smile and was upbeat even in difficult situations. He was a true professional at work and I have no doubt a blessing to his family and friends. So sorry; he was too young to leave us all.
Wendell Keith
February 3, 2023
Matt was such a caring and kind person, and a creative soul. I worked with him 35+ years at DAEC, and sang with him too few times. One memory is that Matt got me and my singing buddies to deliver a Singing Valentine to Mary Kay. These are always a joy for us to do, but Matt made it unique - he wrote special lyrics which we sang to her. We are missing him. I hope your family can find comfort in the many ways Matt has touched so many lives.
Gary Lindsay
February 3, 2023
I was shocked and saddened to read of Matt's death. I have enjoyed many conversations with Matt in either of our two front yards. We have much in common, singing and progressive politics to name two of these. Our front yards often sported the same yard signs. I did not know of his illness. My sincere sympathies to my former student Stephen and your entire family.
Brennen Gibson
February 3, 2023
Matt was always a great guy to be around. I have so many memories with your family. I am very sorry for your loss and am praying for you all.
Bob and Denise Warnock
February 3, 2023
We knew Matt and Mary Kay during Happiness days at Kennedy.
We send our sympathy to Mary Kay and family. May you feel comfort in knowing others have been blessed by knowing Matt, and God continues to be with you.
Rick Blackwell
February 3, 2023
May Peace be in your hearts and many positive memories on your mind. Matt was a significant part of the start-up of Regis Middle School. His sense of volunteerism was greatly appreciated.
Kevin Steimer
February 3, 2023
Matt was one of the kindest soles I have ever met. I was fortunate enough to work with him for over 30 years where he was always such a pleasure to be around. He was very intelligent and highly skilled but cared mostly about people and relationships. He was an angel on earth but now must return to heaven. My deepest sympathies to the Brandt family.
Scott Hippert
February 3, 2023
I have wonderful memories of time spent with Matt when we were young. My condolences to Mary Kay and his entire family.
Rosemary Riesberg
February 3, 2023
That’s, Matt, for so generously sharing your musical gifts with St Pius X community for so many years. I will always remember your clear voice as you cantored. Will miss you. What a gift u and your family were/are to us.
Linda Leonhart
February 3, 2023
Don and I are saddened to hear of Matt’s passing. His was a life well lived! It was always fun to duet with him as Cantors at St. Pius. Always a joy to see on our daily neighborhood walks! A wonderful marriage and family - he will live on in the hearts of all who knew him!
Condolences Mary Kay and family. God is with you!!
Don and Linda Leonhart
Tony Browning
February 3, 2023
I was saddened to hear of Matt’s passing. I knew him well when we worked at Duane Arnold. I found Matt to be a thoughtful and careful engineer. He was very mild mannered and considerate of others. I don’t think that I ever saw him mad or raise his voice. He was well liked by the staff at the plant.
I would often see him running through the neighborhood. I know that he enjoyed running.
I also enjoyed his thoughtful and well-written letters to the Gazette. He was passionate about his beliefs in being kind to others. He made his points without denigrating people with other opinions – a rarity in these times.
He will be missed.
My condolences to his family.
Jeanne Troupe Garnier
February 3, 2023
Matt, you have been taken away too soon and will be remembered in the hearts of so many that your life and greatness has touched, myself included. Here's where our worlds connected and began, when you married my baby sister, and one of my first acts as sister-in-law and bridesmaid was to assist in the kidnapping of the groom. You have proved to be a worthy and wonderful husband for my sister Mary Kay. Thank you for taking care of her, loving her, and being an excellent role model for the family you have raised together. Your kindness, strengths, talent, and love of life and others are reflected in your children, Peter, Stephen, Joseph, and Rachel. Our world was so much better with you there, and you will be eternally missed.
Peg bradke
February 3, 2023
Mary Kay and family. My thoughts are with you. Matt was such a positive force in any encounter. Always a pleasure to work with him during our show choir days.
leslie julich
February 3, 2023
Dear Brandt Family,
I'm so sorry to hear about Matt's passing. I ran a few miles with him over the years when he would join group runs. My daughter Lauren was a school friend of Rachels. My sympathies, Leslie (French) Julich
Terry Stephenson
February 3, 2023
Matt was a pleasure to work with at daec. I will always have fond memories of him. My condolences to his family at this time. My God comfort ,and bless you in your time of need. Very sorry for your loss.
Avery Cassell
February 2, 2023
Avery Cassell
February 2, 2023
Avery Cassell
February 2, 2023
I'm still in the lost of words. Matt was like a bug brother to me through the years. He always encouraged me to get involved with musicals, & shows because he knew I had the potential, & talent. I've been on numerous of musicals, & shows with him, & especially the Cedar Rapids Follies. He had a smile that lid up the whole entire room. He was truly one of the kindest people I've ever gotten a pleasure to know. He used to work with my mother Harriet at Alliant Energy a long time ago. He'd get so excited when I'd get cast in a show or musical with him. He loved his family unconditionally, & especially his wife Mary. She was the love of his life, & his soulmate. Everytime he'd talk about his family he would totally lid up. He had such incredible talent, & he loved being in a variety of musicals. He touched so many lives, & will be deeply missed. Matt, you really touched my life, & thank you so much for encouraging me to get more involved & not take either "I Don't Know" or "No" for an answer. Rest In Heaven.
Mary Wilcynski
February 2, 2023
Our hearts ache for the Brandt family. Matt was a remarkable person, an extraordinary father and a great friend. It was always fun to “run” into him in the neighborhood as we all were on our morning workout runs and walks. Such a loss to all who knew him and especially to Mary Kay, Peter, Stephen, Joseph, and Rachel and their families.
David& Diane Schrabeck
February 2, 2023
Our deepest condolences and sending
Loving prayer’s ✝✝✝
Stephanie Gilbertson
February 2, 2023
I remember when Matt started working at the DAEC. He was a very gracious young man, poised beyond his years. I pray for comfort for his family. I am sure he will be greatly missed by many.
Steve Inghram
February 2, 2023
I worked with Matt at Duane Arnold for many years and frequently visited him and Brad Lindley in the reactor engineering area where they were busily planning the next rod adjustment sequence or getting ready for the next outage. He was crazy good at his job and a fun guy to work with. He loved his cyclones and generously provided me with a cold bottle of Coca Cola after each Iowa-Iowa State football game. I miss many of the people that I used to work with at DAEC and Matt was no exception. I’m sad to see him good and will cherish our long conversations about work, family and friends.
Carol Lensing
February 2, 2023
Mary Kay and family,
Dick and I send our deepest sympathy on Matt’s passing. He was so active and so loved by so many. We remember lovingly the time you and Matt spent in our Marriage Encounter Circle. We are in Arizona until early April so won’t be able to make the service, etc. but please know you are all in our prayers. The picture you selected epitomizes what Matt was like- upbeat and happy!
Jennifer Becknell
February 2, 2023
I was a high school classmate and friend of Matt. He was brilliant, kind, thoughtful and caring. Although we lost touch after high school, we reconnected years later via FB and enjoyed some virtual chats about our shared perspective on life. Sincere condolences to his family. He was one of the good ones.
Jeff Thorsteinson
February 2, 2023
Words pale and fall short in capturing the essence of Matt Brandt. I can only look up to him as a role model on how to treat othersall the time!
I heard about Matt before he started working at DAEC. A young woman from Waukon with whom I worked extolled his virtues. I took this as “home town pride” and figured that nobody could actually fill the shoes as she described. It took time as a co-worker, time with his family and time in his final illness for me to realize he went beyond all those virtues I first heard in 1982.
How could someone so bright be patient enough to listen when his mind might be miles ahead? And how could he parry a challenge from a Navy nuke with a thoughtful and cheerful rejoinder? How could he infuse the steel in his spine into his children? How could he be so welcoming in public and private?
That young lady who told me all about Matt Brandt, with home town pride, turned out to understate the reality. Matt was everything she described and moremuch more!
The Waukon wonder, an angel here on earth now taken up to heaven. Since I always looked up to him I can continue to do so by gazing upon heaven, where his singing voice, his writing style, his distinctive stride (Peter’s might match him) and his skills in engaging people will shine on, and on, and on.
May God Bless the memory of Matt Brandt and may he be welcomed into God’s eternal Grace.
Paulette Canney
February 2, 2023
I'll remember Matt for his sweet smile, beautiful voice and gentle soul. Prayers and love to you all.
Wes and Matt 1/28/23.
Gina and Wes Kaufman
February 2, 2023
Our deepest condolences to the Brandt family. Wes and Matt were NucE’s together back in the day. We enjoyed seeing Matt on stage at his many performances over the years at TCR. Cling to your faith, family and friends.
Ken Putnam
February 2, 2023
I worked with Matt for 30+ years at Duane Arnold. I don't think I ever saw Matt say a single negative thing. He was quick to laugh and always helpful. More times than I can count I asked him for help with something and he always set aside what he was doing to help. So sorry to hear of his passing.
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