In Memory

Matt Heesch

Matt Heesch

Mathew D. Heesch, 32, 1312 Fifth Ave. So., died July 25, 1994, near Burnside after being pinned between a truck trailer bed and frame. 

Funeral Services will be 1:30 p.m. Friday in the chapel at Laufersweiler-Sievers Funeral Home with the Rev. Philip Scharnitzke, Immanuel Lutheran Church, Pomeroy, officiating.  Burial will be in North Lawn Cemetery.  Friends may call at the funeral home after 3 p.m. today. 

Survivors include his wife, Gayle; son, Peter Matthew; daughter Alea Reigh; stepsons, Steven Hopen of Downey, CA, and Rick Hopen of LaHabra, CA; two step-grandchildren; sisters, Rae Ressler and Julie Busse, both of Fort Dodge; brother, Neil Heesch, Agoura Hills, CA; stepbrothers, Ben Bohn, Twin Lakes, and Jay Ricke, Fort Dodge; stepsister, Wendy Steinberg, Pomeroy; mother Sandy Bohn, Fort Dodge; father Pete Heesch and stepmother, Pam Heesch, Fort Dodge; and grandmother, Faye Heesch, Sun City, AZ.

He was preceded in death by his materal grandparents and paternal grandfather and his stepfather, Irv Bohn.

Matthew D. Heesch was born April 25, 1962 in Lake City.  As a child, he moved to Fort Dodge, where he attended school.  After his education, he entered the Army National Guard.  In 1991, he married Gayle Mentzer in Las Vegas, NV, and they lived in Fullerton, CA from 1984 until 1992, where he was employed by Allied Fence Company.  In May 1992, he returned to Fort Dodge and at the time of his death was owner and operator of Quality Fence and Gate Company in Fort Dodge. 



 
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10/31/09 07:59 PM #1    

Suzanne Knupp (Sawyer)

I first met Matt Heesch at a 10th grade dance. He was best friends with my cousin, Roger Messerly. At that time he was fairly short! When I ran into him at The Waterhole on the city square after high school I was shocked to see him towering over me. He had really grown tall since high school! He had the same jovial attitude and great smile that I remembered.

After his tragic death while working in his business, I thought of Matt often. His two young children went to St. Paul Lutheran School where our children also attended. They both looked a great deal like Matt. I was always just so sad, knowing how proud Matt would have been to watch his son and daughter play in sports and participate in school programs. It made me appreciate the fact that I was alive even more.

Matt's wife was diagnosed with breast cancer and now has passed away. I drive by the family home on 5th Ave. So., and always think of Matt and his family. I wonder how the kids are doing and pray that they can overcome the challenges they have been faced with at such a young age.

11/11/09 02:47 PM #2    

Rory Ross

I met Matt in 7th grade at South Junior High. We wrestled against each other on the wrestling team, as we were about the same size back then. I always wondered what happened to him. He was a nice guy and a friend. I'm sure he is now being taken care of well.

11/13/09 02:09 PM #3    

Brook Hoover

I first met Matt on the football field at SJH when I tackled him on a kick off return. We became friends at FDSH. Shared many a homeroom time together in Mrs. Halms' art room.He was a cool guy! Sorry to have lost you old chum!

12/07/09 03:38 PM #4    

Jon Yoder

I lived by Matt and went to Butler, South JH and Senior High with him. We rode our bikes on every trail through Olsen Park for years. I remember seeing him in the Godfather pin stripe suit at our 10 year reuion. He looked funny yet bigger then life. He died a few years later in a tragic accident at work but I will always remembered his smile and good sense of humor.

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