Matthew left this life on Thursday, July 11, 2024. He will be missed by those that loved him and considered him a friend and confidant.

Matt is survived by his wife, Sarah Lapides; parents, Dave & Kim Waldack; his sister, Sheridan Waldack; in-laws, Richard and Janis Lapides; sister-in-law, Jenny Lapides Decker and her husband Joseph Decker; and brother-in-law, John Lapides as well as many other relatives and friends.

Matthew Thomas was born on October 6, 1996, in Chicago, Illinois. He and his sister grew up in their mom’s childhood home and were surrounded by a tight knit community of friends and neighbors.

Growing up, Matthew was involved in Boy Scouts and became an Eagle Scout with Troop 863 in Chicago, Illinois. Countless hours were spent in Chicago as well as Elcho, Wisconsin where the troop owns property for Camp Cayuga. Matt has returned to camp every year and since graduating from the troop, became part of the Pioneer Club which helps to maintain the cabins, dock, and property. One of Matt’s favorite views is from the Birch Church, looking over Pine Lake at camp.

Matt also spent countless summers at the family cabin in Iron River, Michigan on Stanley Lake. Fond memories between these two places is what led to the decision of moving to Wisconsin, and being closer to the places he loved.

Matt has traveled to and lived in various states collecting friends everywhere he went. After leaving Chicago, Matthew moved to Fairbanks, Alaska, where he attended University of Alaska Fairbanks for some time, before leaving to work. Fairbanks is where Matt met and started dating his wife Sarah, as well as adding their two Alaskan huskies Porky and Ray to the family. After Sarah completed school, they moved to Spokane, Washington together and were engaged to marry. After moving to Wisconsin and buying a house, Matthew married Sarah in the backyard of his Chicago childhood home on July 17, 2021 in the same place that his parents got married.

Matthew was an entrepreneur from a young age, and was always thinking of the next great thing. In Chicago this meant buying and selling bikes that he could fix. In Alaska, it meant buying, selling, and trading up. In Washington, it was a duck farm entitled “Your Friendly Neighborhood Quack Dealer” where ducks eggs and merchandise were sold. In Wisconsin this meant a trailer manufacturing business entitled “Golden Birch Trailer Works.” Matt could do anything he set his mind to and was a very quick learner with a wide array of talents.

He had many hobbies that included: biking, bike-joring, skiing, ski-joring, rock climbing, photography, canoeing, and buying fire trucks or rat rods.

He was employed at Aspirus Wausau Hospital as a health unit coordinator for the Emergency Department. This job was his favorite, as he was able to connect with people who were sick, injured, or needing help; and offer comfort. He was always willing to help others. Matt loved being part of the medical drama and feeling like a part of the action.

For those that knew Matt, he would be described as kind, loving, funny, adventurous and everyone’s friend. He could make anyone smile and feel at ease immediately. No one disliked him, and people didn’t just like him, they loved him. In reciprocity, Matthew loved his family and friends with his whole heart.

The celebration of life will be held at Irving Park Lutheran Church on August 24, 2024 at 11am.

3938 W Belle Plaine Ave, Chicago, IL 60618. There will be a luncheon afterwards in the gym across the street.

Please consider making a donation to the Pioneer Club, Aspirus, or Sunrise After Suicide, in memory of Matthew.

Pioneer Club Donations can be made through check or Zelle.

Checks:

The Pioneer Club

℅ Bruce Anderson

3656 N Springfield Ave

Chicago, IL 60618

Zelle: cayugapioneer@gmail.com

Aspirus Wausau donations please visit  https://interland3.donorperfect.net/weblink/weblink.aspx?name=E363030&id=4

or mail checks to 

Aspirus Health Foundation 333 Pine Ridge Blvd. Wausau, WI 54401 (memo: ED Transportation)

For Sunrise after Suicide donations, please visit https://sunriseaftersuicide