Matthew Ganther

Matthew Ganther, age 35 of Cottage Grove, passed away November 14, 2021.

A celebration of life will be held on Sunday, December 5, 2021 from 2:00-5:00 pm at The American Legion, Post 98, 328 Broadway Ave., St. Paul Park.  Private interment will be held at a later date at Ft. Snelling National Cemetery where he will be laid to rest with his dad, Neil.

On August 20, 1986, the extraordinary life of Matthew Lee Ganther began.  He was born in St. Paul, Minnesota to his loving parents, Neil and Wendy in addition to becoming the youngest brother to Brett and Scott.  At the age of 18 months, Matt was diagnosed with Spinal Muscular Atrophy.  Although he wasn’t expected to reach his 20’s, “Matty G” defied those odds and in the process inspired and touched countless lives.  Some of the notable things that he was known for in his early years was being a model for Target and OshKosh as well as being a sponsor for Harley Davidson and was the 1997 Goodwill Ambassador for the Muscular Dystrophy Association.  Matt graduated from Park High School in 2004 and was honored by his classmates to have been selected homecoming king.  He also worked at Best Buy for 10 years as a sales associate and excelled in connecting with people.

Matt’s parent’s home was the center of activity for he and his friends to gather.  He hosted video game tournaments, poker games, scotch nights and Monday Night Football through the years.  Matt’s physical limitations never seemed to keep him in one spot.  He and his friends traveled across the country multiple times to see their favorite bands, gamble in Las Vegas or just hang out and explore.  Recently he found an interest in learning a variety of topics including the stock market and politics.

When it came to people, Matt had an infectious personality.  Not only was he funny, but he was one of the most outgoing, straightforward people you could ever meet.  He took an interest in getting to know what you enjoyed and what made you tick, and if you were having a hard day and feeling bad about your situation, he had just the right thing to say.

Matt leaves a legacy of inspiration and encouragement to everyone that his life touched.  He loved his family and he motivated them to be better people.  He became the “family glue” and helped them in ways that are too numerous to count.

He is survived by mom Wendy; brothers Brett (Andrea), Scott (JoJo); nieces and nephews Raeanna, Shayna, Jackson, Eva, Davin and Lillian and beloved Loki; aunts Jill (Neil) Kelly, Linda Skinaway, Laura (significant other Jerry Juvrud) Thompson; uncle Tommy Thompson; Godfather and uncle, Tom Kirchner; cousins Laell Welle, Seth Schulte, Jodi Mayrand, Jamie Kirchner and Trevor Thompson, as well as his countless friends who have become family through the years.

He is preceded in death by his dad Neil; grandparents Lorraine and Robert Ganther and Tommy and Joan Thompson and his godmother and aunt Norma Kirchner.

The family would like to thank Matt’s Health Partners Hospice team, home care nurses and PCA’s who provided excellent care for him and his family.