Matthew Van Auken’s Memorial Fund

Matthew Van Auken was born November 25, 1982, to Randell and Renee Van Auken in Minneapolis, MN.  He graduated from Legacy (Meadow Creek) Christian Academy in Andover, MN in 2001.  Matt entered the United States Army on May 19, 2004, where he served 3 years, 3 months and 21 days.  During this service, he spent 1 year, 3 months  and 19 days in Afghanistan.  He served with RECON C CO 3/71st Calvary RSTA 10th Mountain Division as an Infantryman, which took him on multiple combat missions.  Matt has always been ready to help anyone when they needed help, but the most difficult time he ever had was on one of these missions, when Matt saw his best battle buddy be shot by the enemy, so he held onto him until the friend died in his arms.

When Matt returned home, he was evaluated by the VA, and they deemed his service to be connected with PTSD.

Matt was married in 2006 and on August 8, 2008, his first child, Adrianna, was born. He was so excited about this baby and loved her so very much. After his divorce, he was allowed to take Adrianna for the weekend every two weeks, so he looked forward to their time together. He never tried to miss that weekend. Matt was reunited with Cheryl Sweesy in 2011 and in 2013 he married the love of his life, Cheryl, in Anoka, Minnesota. On August 10, 2013, Matt and Cheryl had a baby girl they named Brooklyn. Matt now had three lovely girls in his life. They purchased a home in East Bethel, MN.  Again, Matt was so excited to have a home where he could finish the basement and do some painting to make the home their very own.  He did all this while going to school to learn a new trade, and working a full-time job, but later had to change to a part-time job.  He was so sure he could continue to manage all this because he really wanted to do everything he could for his family.

During this time, he was still driving up to Brainerd every two weeks to pick up Adrianna so she could spend the weekend in the room Matt fixed up the way she wanted.  They all loved these weekends – Brooklyn called her Sissie, and they played together like best friends.  Cheryl also was working full time but she and Matt worked together on all the projects, just like best friends do.  Cheryl noticed that each year around the time of the  Memorial Day Holiday through the July 4th Holiday, Matt wished that people would celebrate the freedoms that many, many veterans  had fought for  in very dangerous countries.  He would have powerful dreams about the wartime he remembered  - he had several during his last couple weeks of life.  He couldn’t seem to erase them from his mind.  Unfortunately, on May 13, 2016, Matt lost his battle with PTSD, in their family home.  (Another horrible statistic from these awful wars.)  Matt was so very proud of being in the military always, and that he was able to try to protect our country.

We hope everyone can see that Matt was so loved by everybody.  He was also the love of Cheryl’s life!  He was so dependable and helpful – if you needed his help, he would be there even if he already had his day all planned out.  He loved when the whole family could come to the family get-togethers he and Cheryl put together at the last moment.  He would stand in front of the grill fixing all the food until everyone was fed.  He will be missed so very much.

We are hoping that there are generous people out there that can help donate to this fund that is being created to help with the expenses related to Matt’s Memorial Service.  A small portion will be reimbursed from the VA; however, there is still a great need that remains.  His wife and two young children will use any additional funds that may remain for living expenses.  We know that it will be difficult for the family to stay in the lovely home so any donations will be so welcome.

Thank you all for your time, prayers and any help you may be able to provide.   We will keep all of you in our prayers.