Matthew (Matt) John Maher, age 47, was born on December 26th, 1973 to Jim and Jane Maher in Hastings, MN. He passed away peacefully at home, surrounded by his family, April 29, 2021 after a battle with Glioblastoma that was fought with a positive attitude and HOPE. Matt attended St Elizabeth Ann Seton School (formerly Hastings Parochial School) and later graduated from Hastings High School in 1992. He subsequently received a Master’s Degree of Education from the University of Minnesota. He married Andrea Zeien in Hastings on November 10, 2000. They were blessed with two wonderful children, Kiera and Kelvin. Matt taught at Park High School in Cottage Grove for over 20 years. He was a dedicated coach of Track, Nordic Skiing and Football at Park High School. He also coached Football at Hastings High School and Nordic Skiing at Woodbury High School and East Ridge High School. He was well respected and admired by his peers and had a positive impact on countless athletes and students throughout the years.
Matt was a beloved Dad, Husband, Son, Brother and Friend. He was very witty and full of knowledge (many joked that some of it was useless); full of dad jokes and one-liners, endless stories (which usually had some exaggerated details), all of which provided him with the ability to make people laugh. Family was extremely important to him; he took great pride in his children’s accomplishments. Matt made friends anywhere, and always seemed to know somebody no matter where he went. He enjoyed camping, cabin time, road trips, spending time with friends, and many family trips to Disney World. Matt had a passion for sports, anyone that knew him was aware of his Pittsburgh Steelers obsession. Matt loved the outdoors, and always enjoyed spending time doing yardwork.
Preceded in death by grandparents, Paul & Dorothy Maher, and Clarence & Leona Balitz.
Survived by his wife, Andrea; daughter, Kiera; and son, Kelvin; parents, Jim & Jane Maher; siblings, Sean (Cheryl) Maher, Martin (Jennifer) Maher, Angela (Joe) Nathan, Jason Maher (Lynn Roberts), and James (Tami) Maher; parents-in-law, Ronald & Linda Zeien; brothers- in-law, Chad (Sarah) Zeien, Marc Zeien (Dawn); numerous nieces and nephews, aunts and uncles, many cousins, and an abundance of friends.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Thursday, May 6, 2021 at 2:30 PM at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church, 2035 W. 15th St. in Hastings. A visitation will be held Wednesday, May 5 from 4:00 – 8:00 PM at ST. ELIZABETH ANN SETON CATHOLIC CHURCH in Mother Seton Hall, and 1 hour prior to mass on Thursday. Private Interment will be at the church cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, the family will be putting monetary gifts towards the creation of a scholarship fund or Brain Cancer Research.
In honor of Matt, his family invites you to wear your best Hawaiian shirt to Mass on Thursday.
The Starkson Family Life Celebration Chapel is serving the family.
