Matthew Rickard, 26

Matthew Mark "Bundy" Rickard, 26, unexpectedly passed away at his home on Friday, Jan. 6.

He was born on Dec. 20, 1985, in Brookings, S.D., to Mark and Twyla (Biorn) Rickard. He became a child of God through the washing of Holy Baptism on Jan. 5, 1986, at Our Saviors Lutheran Church in Brookings, as witnessed by his sponsors, Ronald and Barbara Biorn. In 1987, Matthew moved with his family to Zumbrota, Minn., where he became a member of Christ Lutheran Church and was confirmed on May 21, 2000. In 2003, Matthew and his companion, Carolyn Stadsvold, gave birth to their son, Jonas Rickard Stadsvold. In 2005, Matthew graduated from Rochester Off-Campus School and landed a job working in Internal Distribution at Mayo Clinic as a specimen transporter. In January 2011, Matthew started working at Red Wing Shoe in the manufacturing department.

Matthew was a faithful young man and often talked openly about his religious beliefs. He loved spending time with his friends and family and focused on raising his son, Jonas, who was the highlight of his life. He was an adoring father, a wonderful son, an awesome brother, and a kind, caring, compassionate and generous friend and companion. He lived his life to the fullest by playing his guitar, writing song lyrics, drawing sketches, reading books, and holding philosophical discussions with friends and loved ones. Matthew touched many lives with his sense of humor, his infectious laugh and his enormous smile. His love for music and the meaning of song lyrics would certainly make us all believe that he would embrace the following quote from the movie Hitch: "Life is not the amount of breaths that you take; rather it is the number of moments that take your breath away." Matthew's name means "gift of God," and he truly was a gift for all of us to enjoy. He will be missed by everyone.

Matthew is survived by his son, Jonas Rickard Stadsvold; his parents, Mark and Twyla (Biorn) Rickard; his sister, Heather (David) Oconnor; his girlfriend, Angela Voth; his grandparents Barbara (Wally) Milow and Sylvia Rickard; as well as many special aunts, uncles and cousins.

He was preceded in death by his grandfathers Ronald Biorn and Robert Rickard.

Funeral will be 11 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 12, at Christ Lutheran Church in Zumbrota with Pastor Wayne Schoch officiating. Burial will be at the Zumbrota Cemetery. Visitation will be from 4-8:30 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 11, with sharing of special memories for the first hour at Mahn Family Funeral Home-Larson Chapel in Zumbrota and for 1 hour prior to the service at the church.

www.mahnfamilyfuneralhome.com.

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