Matthew T. "Matt" Bonds, of Alexandria, died Sunday, December 13, 2015, at 34 years of age, words cannot express the hole his death has left in the hearts of those that loved him.
Mass of Christian Burial is 11 a.m., Friday, December 18, 2015, at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Alexandria with Fr. Steve Binsfeld officiating. Music is provided by pianist, Laurie J. Youngers and cantor, Erin Takle. Private family burial will take place at St. William's Catholic Cemetery in Parkers Prairie.
Visitation is Thursday and will begin with a 4 p.m., Parish prayer service at Lind Family Funeral Home in Alexandria and continue until 7 p.m. The visitation will continue one hour prior to the service at the church.
Matthew Timothy Bonds was born October 13, 1981, to Tim and Laurie (Fortwengler) Bonds in Alexandria. He was baptized and confirmed at St. Mary's Church in Alexandria. He attended Miltona Elementary School and Jefferson High School in Alexandria, where he was a member of the swim and dive team and the Jefferson Carolers. Following graduation, Matt attended Wadena Technical College. Matt worked alongside his dad as a carpenter at B&H Builders in Miltona for many years. He was also employed at Chet's Lakeside Inn, the City of Miltona, and most recently at REM Group Homes as a maintenance worker, a job he truly enjoyed. Matt and his partner, Brandee Baumann, raised Nathan, Karlee and Hunter in rural Alexandria. He was proud and happy to be a father and loved his family dearly. Matt was a kind, caring man who had many friends. He loved hunting, fishing, building and fixing almost anything. Matt found great joy in supporting the Alexandria Blizzard and Blue Anchor teams. During their respective seasons, Matt and Brandee would host players at their home. In the last few years, he developed a love of gardening, created huge gardens and canned everything he grew.
He was preceded in death by his grandfathers, Charles Fortwengler and Henry Bonds; and uncle, Jim Bonds.
Matt is survived by his partner, Brandee Baumann; children, Nathan Baumann, Karlee Baumann and Hunter Bonds; parents, Tim and Laurie Bonds of Alexandria; grandmothers, Dolores Fortwengler of Parkers Prairie and Cana Bonds of Energy, Illinois; sister, Megan (Brent) Grewe of Maple Grove; brother, Chris Bonds of Alexandria; nephew, Dexter Grewe; three nieces, Harper Grewe, Jaden Guenther and Myrissa Guenther; aunts and uncles, Mary Wussow of Hastings, Julie (Chuck) Watkin of Roseville, Judy (Phil) Preston of Energy, Illinois, Michael Bonds and Susan (Dennis) Doyle both of Kankakee, Illinois, Becky Bonds of Sheldon, Illinois; and many cousins and friends.
Pallbearers are Cory Putnam, Nate Elbert, Brent Grewe, Pete Watt, Ryan Beers and Brent Guenther. Honorary pallbearers are all his friends who loved him.