Matthew Craig Skarperud

Celebration of Life Service: 6:00 p.m. on Thursday, August 4th at the Ralph Engelstad Arena Foyer (N.East Entrance), with visitation from 5:00-6:00 p.m. prior to the service. **PARK IN THE NORTH LOT AND ENTER AT THE NORTHEAST DOORS.

Matthew Craig Skarperud, 48, passed away unexpectedly of unknown causes on July 26th, 2022, in Bemidji, MN. He will be missed dearly, but there is comfort in knowing he spent his final days in a place he loved with family and close friends participating in the annual Birchmont Golf Tournament.

Matt was born on May 30, 1974, to Craig and Brenda (Hanson) Skarperud. He was the second of four boys, all born within six years of one another. Growing up in Grand Forks, ND, their family spent lots of time together in hockey arenas, at golf courses, summer weekends at Lake Bemidji, and gathering with close friends and family. Matt was athletic and competitive in nature which were qualities he shared with his brothers. Together they enjoyed each other’s company watching sports, telling stories, playing golf, and making some side-bets along the way.

Matt graduated from Red River High School in 1992. Following high school, he played golf for Indian River Community College and Florida Community College. After that he played professional golf on the mini tours in Arizona and the Dakotas. He continued to choose career paths that centered around people and his passion for golf.

In October 2007, Matt married Jennifer Kully and together they had two beautiful daughters, Madison Sarah (12) and Samantha Morgan (10). He loved spending time with them as they were his pride and joy. When they weren’t together, Matt called them every morning and evening to tell them he loved them and wished them a good day or night. Matt made a tradition of weekly visits to the girls’ school to have lunch with them. Maddie and Sammie enjoyed many activities with their dad which included playing arcade games, tubing at the lake, group chats with inside jokes that made them laugh, and much more. They always looked forward to the cards he made for birthdays and holidays with pictures of them together. Matt loved attending their activities and numerous dance competitions. He recently had the opportunity to watch his girls at their first national dance competition in Florida. Being a dad was Matt’s ultimate life accomplishment. He was so proud of his girls and loved them immensely.

Matt was fortunate to have met his kindred spirit, Laura Frederes in 2017. They formed an instant connection with many shared interests. They had so much fun together and often joked they were basically the same person. He was the male version of Laura and she was the female version of him. They could read each other’s minds and knew exactly what the other person was thinking without saying a word. They were married on December 12, 2020. This particular date was an extra special date as it marked the anniversary of the passing of Matt’s father, as well as Laura’s father’s birthday. Together they enjoyed traveling, golf, ATV rides, late night campfires, and social outings with family and friends. They spent their time between homes in Hamburg, Iowa, and Lake of the Ozarks.

Matt is survived by his wife, Laura Skarperud; Daughters, Madison and Samantha Skarperud, step-children Kaylynn, Bailey, and J.C. Frederes; brothers, Chad (Jessica) Skarperud, Ryan (Dania) Skarperud, Tim (Stacey) Skarperud; Mother-in-law, Sharon Murray; Step-Grandmother, Ann Hanson; nephews, Alex, Jacob, Zachary, and Carson Skarperud; a niece, Emma Skarperud; aunts and uncles, Tim and Jane Hanson, Liz and Jerry Eggers, and Karen Hendrickson; along with many other special family members and treasured friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Craig and Brenda Skarperud; Step-Father, Howard Nelson; Father-in-law, Edward Murray; Grandparents, Harvey and Dorothy Hanson and Elton and Avis Skarperud; an uncle, Daniel Hanson; an infant brother, Christopher; and cousins, Sarah Hanson and Scott Eggers.

***Memorials can be made to the American Cancer Society.