Aaron B. Matz

Aaron B. Matz, age 55, of Hanover Park, IL.
Aaron was born April 9, 1970 in Sioux Falls, SD to Duane and Irene Matz (née Froiland) and passed away on November 27, 2025.
Aaron spent his entire childhood in Sioux Falls, graduating from Washington High School in 1988. During this time he created many lifelong friendships and great memories that he cherished.
After high school, Aaron attended Gustavus Adolphus College in St. Peter, MN and graduated in 1993 with a degree in Political Science. Aaron often joked that he was the only five-year member of the prestigious Gustavus Choir. He loved the feeling of connection performing with the choir ensemble. Here too, he collected many cherished friends and memories.
While with the Gustavus Choir on a tour of the Far East, Aaron fell in love with Japan and its people. Consequently, Aaron took an assignment teaching English in Nagoya, Japan after graduation. There he fell in love with his former wife, Keiai Tokoyama. Aaron and Keiai were married in 1998, later divorcing in 2017.
On April 18, 2007, Keiai and Aaron welcomed their son Kai into the world. Aaron would share with anyone he spoke to about how proud he was of his son. He was always eager to share a picture or video or to discuss Kai's successes on the soccer field or in school. Kai truly was Aaron's world.
Aaron started his 28-year career with Target in 1995 at Target Financial Services in Sioux Falls. After a brief time in the Twin Cities market, he spent the majority of his career working in Target Stores throughout the Chicagoland area, primarily as an HR Executive Team Leader. Aaron particularly loved the "Human" aspect of Human Resources and collected many dear friends during this time. He was proud of the many Team Members that he helped support in their careers, but more meaningfully, he made a positive impact in many of their lives. Most recently, he was working as a Special Education Aide in the Hoffman Estates School District, for which he took great pride in.
Aaron loved fishing, Minnesota sports (especially the Timberwolves), music, politics, conversation, and travel – really, just life in general. Most of all, Aaron loved people and many people loved Aaron.
Preceded in death by his father Duane, Aaron is survived by his mother Irene, of Onalaska, WI; son Kai and ex-wife Keiai, of Schaumburg, IL; brother Joel (Jenni) and niece Leah, of Plymouth, MN: brother Adam (Andrea), niece Elizabeth, and nephew William, of Onalaska, WI.
A Celebration of Life will be held at a future date in the Chicago area with details to come.
For information, please call 847-891-2900 or visit www.michaelsfh.com.