Mathew Veronen Obituary
Mathew R. Veronen, 69, died Saturday, April 22, 2017 at his son and daughter-in-law’s residence in rural Lake City, surrounded by his loving family after a short but intense battle with pancreatic cancer. He is now free and with family in Heaven.
Mass of Christian Burial will be held Saturday, April 29, at 1 p.m. in Holy Rosary Catholic Church in Detroit Lakes. Visitation will be held Friday, April 28 at Holy Rosary Catholic Church from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. with a 7 p.m. prayer service. Visitation will also continue one hour prior to mass on Saturday. Interment will be held at Ft. Snelling National Cemetery in Minneapolis.
Mathew was born Sept. 1, 1947 to Raymond and Arlene (Mack) Veronen. He lived on the family farm on Strawberry Lake during his youth. He attended North Dakota State and then enlisted in the Air Force during the Vietnam conflict serving his country from 1968-1972. Mathew married the love of his life, Barbara Komarek on Sept. 29, 1972. Together they welcomed Brian (1975) and Tracy (1977) to the family. Mathew returned to school at Brown Institute, earning a degree in electronics. He spent over 30 years working at Eastman Kodak doing electronic repair. During that time he lived in the Como area of St. Paul. He wanted to move home after retiring to live on the lake and enjoy the woods. The next 10 years were spent at the lake. Mathew and Barbara also spent those years as caregivers to family members. They made many wonderful friendships with people in the Detroit Lakes area. They enjoyed the DLCCC, gardening with neighbors and reconnecting with neighborhood friends. Oak Crossing staff became family as well as the staff at Essentia Health where Mathew volunteered his time.
Mathew is survived by his wife of almost 45 years, Barbara; son, Brian (Kendra); and daughter, Tracy (Cullen) Murtaugh. In addition he is survived by six grandchildren, Austin, Ashley, Aiden and Alec Veronen and Nolan and McKenna Murtaugh, along with one brother, Jay (Mavis) Veronen, mother-in-law, Mary Komarek and much extended family. He was preceded in death by his parents, one sister, Mary Paulsen and one brother-in-law, Douglas Paulsen.