My name is Catherine Runde and the following is what has taken place over the last week with my nephew, Matt Runde:

Matt had cold symptoms for about a week, then Sunday night he developed a headache. Monday morning he was feeling worse and was seen at Urgent Care for what they thought were early signs of the flu. That evening Matt continued to feel worse and was experiencing some concerning symptoms. An ambulance was called to take him to the ER. Matt continued to decline after arrival with labored breathing, becoming unresponsive, and then he stopped breathing. He was quickly placed on a ventilator and moved to ICU. Many tests were performed Tuesday into Wednesday. Due to unstable blood pressures that prevented him from being moved, he was unable to have an MRI of his brain until Wednesday morning. Matt's results were devastating. Swelling in Matt's brain had caused catastrophic damage resulting in brain death. Matt was kept comfortable until his parents, Keith and Missy, and his siblings, Megan and Jake could all be by his side. He went home to Heaven on Saturday, 2/22/25 @ 11:05 am, a cold but sunny Virginia day. No doubt greeted with big hugs and smiles from Hazel, Harry, Linda, Kenny, and Teddy.

Matt was born on August 29th of 1992, with a diagnosis of Down's Syndrome. We all worried what life would look like for Matt. I can tell you that we worried for nothing. If you were loved by Matt, you knew you were loved. He wasn't a shy kid, he was a people person who made friends everywhere he went. Matt loved the ladies and the ladies loved Matt, I imagine there were arguments over who got to go to prom with him! Matt was a movie conissiouer, a reader, and a gamer. He could talk for hours about his favorite books and movies, and you better listen because he would correct you and start over if you didn't keep up! Matt was part of the Special Olympics, an extension of family that helped Matt become the man he was. He spent part of his life in Kansas, then Florida, and finally Virginia. Matt accepted Jesus and was baptized while he lived in Florida.

There aren't enough pages or words to tell you how much Matt was loved by his family and friends. Matt was ornery, kind, funny, and smart. Every one of us has a Matt story. Keep those stories in your heart and share them. Matt will live on through us, those that loved him.

If you are able to help with the unexpected expenses of Matt's illness and passing, please donate. All proceeds will go directly to Keith and Missy.

If you can't, please keep his family and friends in your prayers. They will be much needed as they navigate the deep waters of grief in the weeks, months, and lifetime ahead.

Life will not be the same without Matt in it.

Thank you❤