Matthew Brabender
October 30, 1980 - May 29, 2020
Obituary
MIDDLETON - Matthew L. Brabender, age 39, of Middleton, passed away unexpectedly on Friday, May 29, 2020. He was born on Oct. 30, 1980, the son of Earyl A. Brabender and Karen N. King.
Matt spent his life in the Madison area. He attended Verona High School before beginning his career in sales and political fundraising. This was the perfect application for his skills in verbal communication and empathy.
Matt was passionate about politics and current events. He enjoyed working for several years with the Republican Party of Wisconsin (RPW). He was proud to have been involved with fundraisers to support candidates, and enjoyed talking about the issues he believed in. That position with RPW allowed him to personally interact with many top officials at the national, state and local level. Matt deeply cared about “making a difference.”
Of course, Matt was a lifelong avid fan of all Wisconsin sports teams. He loved the Green Bay Packers and UW Badgers (Matt also played some football as a youngster). He loved attending Milwaukee Brewer games and cheering for the team on TV. That Matt’s great-uncle Eugene M. Brabender ended his MLB career as a pitcher for the Brewers in 1970, was certainly a source of pride.
On a softer note, Matt always loved caring for animals. Pets knew this too, and would follow him around. He also enjoyed playing card games, cooking, and keeping up with childhood friends.
We mourn. We mourn that we could not see the pain behind those beautiful blue eyes.
We pray. We pray that God may give peace and comfort to those left behind.
We rejoice. We rejoice in the glory of our Lord, by whose hand we all may have the gift of eternal life, free from suffering.
Revelation 21:4 God shall wipe all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain, for the former things are passed away.
Matt is survived by his mother, Karen N. King; his father, Earyl A. Brabender; siblings, Krystal (Troy) Mooney and Earyl Brabender Jr.; and numerous dear aunts, uncles and cousins. He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Hubert and Sally Brabender, and Cliff and Grace Johnson; brother, Cody Brabender; and uncles, Les Ibach, Cliff Johnson and Jeff Tracy.
Due to COVID-19 restrictions, only small private family gatherings will be held in memory of Matt. Please visit the Gunderson website to post tributes to Matt: http://www.gundersonfh.com/obituaries/Matthew-Brabender?obId=14926159#/celebrationWall
Memorials in honor of Matt may be made to: NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness): https://nami.org/About-NAMI/Donate-to-NAMI. Dane County Humane Society: https://www.giveshelter.org/how-to-help/in-honor-or-memorial-gifts.
Gunderson East
Funeral & Cremation Care
5203 Monona Drive
(608) 221-5420
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Memories
DS
Diane Scott
Other •
Karen: Thinking of you and your family in your time of loss. So sorry to hear that Matt has passed on.
Diane Scott
ME
Mary Everson
Other •
Karen, has been many years since I have seen you and Matt. My deepest sympathy to you and your family during this time of grieving. My prayers for you in this time of the loss of your son, Matt.
Mary Everson, (from old Lake Edge)
AB
Adam Brabender
Other •
Earyl, Angie and Karen I know how difficult mental illness can be. I should know, I have tried ending my life so many times through overdoses that I have lost count to how many I have had. May God Bless you through this grief.
K(
Krissy Schintgen (Grimesey)
Other •
I have searched for years to find Matt. I've searched social Media over and over. Matt was my childhood best friend, until he moved away to Madison. I never saw him again. My mom, Kim, babysat Matt every day after school and sometimes on weekends. We spent days and hours together. We rode bikes, invented weird things, played cops and robbers and sometimes we even turned the music on and danced like lunatics. We'd go trick or treating together. I am so very sorry to hear of his passing of Matt. I really wish the last time I heard anything about him was not in an obituary. Had I know Matt was in Middleton, where I live, I would have searched harder. I have missed him for years and now I will continue to miss him even more.
KC
Kathy Calhoun Casad
Other •
Karen and Earyl,
I am so sorry for your tragic loss. Not sure if you remember me but I lived above Vitale's on Badger Road in the early 80's and had the pleasure of babysitting for Matt a few times. He was very young. I had a picture of him somewhere. Things like this make a person remember how life was back then and how many new friends we made. Sending thoughts and prayers your way
SL
Sara C Long
Other •
Karen, my heart goes out to you. Such a tragic loss. I can only imagine the pain and multitude of feelings you must be experiencing. May friends, family, and, most of all, God's love help you move forward. You are in my thoughts and prayers.
Sara Long