Support Matt Wacker's Final Resting Place

Update: May 14, 2025

In a few days I will know when the burial service will be… I’m thinking it will be 7-25-25. If you were or are able thank you for the help for the burial cost.

Matt not being here with us still doesn’t feel real.

Update: May 4, 2025

As we approach the one-year mark since we lost Matt, we are closer to a burial location at a local catholic church here in Flathead County. I am reaching out again since we are finding it difficult to come up with the approx : $1875 for the urn plot, $940 for the headstone, and other burial fees, so just shy of 3K. Please don't feel obligated. On the other hand, if you are able please consider making a donation for Matt's ashes to have a final resting spot. It is looking like it most likely will take place in July of 2025, perhaps 7-25-25. I will update when I am able to secure a date.

Update: September 29, 2024

I am recovering from back surgery and able to walk without pain down my legs for the first time in a few weeks. The doctor said there were a lot of tentacles pushing down on nerves. Now to heal. Thank you friends and family. Even though life may be tough, we can survive if we stay rooted in hope. ❤️‍

Update September:

Luke and Natalie are continuing to struggle, since Natalie went in for back surgery on Friday, September 27th.

Update August:

Thank you to so many far and near for supporting Luke and I during this difficult period. We appreciated those that came and spent time holding my hand and listening, playing ⚾️ catch with Luke helping wash dishes, texting, calling, video chatting support. As I started working on thank you cards to each of you I realized I don't have many of your addresses, so I will plan to message you to get your address, to be able to send you a Thank you! Blessings to you today!

❤️‍

July 24. 2024

Matt's funeral.

It is with tremendous

sadness that we announce

the passing of Matthew

(Matt) William Wacker,

52, who left us on June 24,

2024, due to a blood clot

and heart related complications due to diabetes.

His family surrounded

him at the time of his unexpected death. Matt was

born February 24, 1972,

in Brookfield, Wisconsin,

to Clarence Wacker and

Frances Ketcher Wacker.

He was the youngest of

six siblings, including a

sister, Claire, and four

brothers, Michael, James,

Gregory, and Wayne. Matt

attended the University of

Wisconsin- Milwaukee and

graduated with a degree in

history and minoring in

Native American Studies.

He earned his Secondary

Teaching Certification

from The University of

Alaska- Fairbanks. Matt

was a devoted Daddy, Husband, Son, Brother, Uncle,

Co-Worker, and Friend (on

and off of Facebook).

Matt and Natalie Sorensenwere married 20

years during which time

they experienced a lot of

life events together such

as cancer surgeries, diabetic blood sugar issues, a

decade-long wait for adoption of a child, moves, and

travels around the world.

They had the opportunity

to live for seven years in

remote Alaskan villages

and created many memories together such as; ten

years together parenting

Luke, raising a husky

sled dog named Mogul,

living in a cabin with a

two-seater outhouse (sideby-side not double decker),

waking up to the sounds

of whales, learning to fly a

small piper cub plane, and

collecting hundreds of Japanese glass fishing floats.

Natalie will deeply miss

her other-half in raising

Luke to be the best person

he can be.

The most significant

and important role in

Matt’s life was being

Luke’s father. Luke said

“my daddy was a smiley

guy”. Matt always had

a smile on his face especially anytime Luke was

around. He cherished

every moment spent with

his son. Matt watched

every baseball, soccer, basketball game, skiing event,

and musical concert Luke

participated in. Matt and

Luke built several model

airplanes and spent hours

flying RC planes. Matt, a

natural educator, taught

Luke all

he knew

about

music,

lawnmowers, cooking, safely

weed-waking,

making a bed, caring for

pets, using a chainsaw,

vintage cars, multiplication tables, and drawing.

The proud papa shared his

love of music with Luke bysinging him to sleep most

nights, usually; lyrics

from Grateful Dead songs,

Beatles, or The Who.

When Luke was an infant

Matt carried Luke on his

back into a Paul McCartney concert His love for

Luke was unwavering.

Matt loved his “Bubba”

Luke no matter what forever and always!

Matt approached life

with his uniquely humorous perspective. On one of

his birthdays Matt went

out to “get a diet coke”

and four hours/ 220 miles

later, he brought home his

beloved emotional support

service dog named Anna

to join our family because

“the boy needed a dog and

the dog needed a boy.”

Matt’s mind was unparalleled. It was a treasure

trove of countless family

memories, random trivia

facts, and never ending

sarcastic jokes always at

the ready.

Matt’s professional journey led him to the role of a

Family Support Specialist

at the Child Development

Center where he helped

numerous families with

children with special

needs get services. His

dedication to his job and

his witty humor endeared

him to his families he

served, leaving a lasting

impression on all who

knew him.

Services celebrating his

life were on Thursday,

July 25, 2024, at 2:15 PM

at Risen Christ Catholic

Church on 65 W Evergreen Drive in Kalispell, MT.

Please plan to attend the

luncheon that will follow

the service. A burial will

take place at a later date.

In lieu of flowers/etc::

Luke Sorensen’s, 529

education fund, Account #

4000733472, Capital Bank

& Trust Company ,PO Box

6164, Indianapolis, IN,

46206-6164

or https://www.mealtrain.com/trains/5zkozz

“We will get by, we will

survive.” … a moment at

a time.

June 24, 24

Luke's dad/ Natalie’s husband of 20 years Matt Wacker unexpectedly passed due to a blood clot from flying or heart ♥️ related complications from diabetes.