Mathew L. Sjoberg

Mathew Lawrence Sjoberg, 78, Hoyt Lakes Memorial Mass will be held at 10am Saturday, June 17, 2017 at Queen of Peace Catholic Church in Hoyt Lakes with Fr. Eamonn Boland as celebrant. Friends may gather one hour prior to the mass at church. Inurnment will be at a later date in the Lakeview Cemetery in Tower, MN. Arrangements by Ziemer-Moeglein-Shatava Funeral Home in Aurora. Mathew Lawrence Sjoberg, 78 of Hoyt Lakes died at Essentia Northern Pines Nursing Home in Aurora, MN on June 12, 2017 after several years of failing health. He was born in Tower, MN to Ellen (Mickelson) and Lawrence Sjoberg on October 29, 1938. He was a graduate of Tower-Sudan High School Class of 1956, Ely Junior College and the University of Minnesota-Duluth. In 1961, Matt embarked on a distinguished career as an educator (primarily Social Studies) and coach in the Aurora-Hoyt Lakes School District that ultimately lasted 34 years. He cherished playing a role in the development of our youth and was very passionate with his unique hands-on style of teaching, which was well respected throughout the education community. He was recognized as an expert on the history of the Iron Range, particularly that of the Vermilion Range. The projects he undertook over the years included work with the Close-Up Foundation and several Get Out The Vote campaigns. He served as an intern for Congressman James Oberstar and testified before the Fish and Wildlife Committee of the US House of Representatives regarding regulation of the BWCA. He was very involved with youth and high school athletics, coaching football, basketball, and baseball. Helping lead Aurora-Hoyt Lakes to the State Basketball Tournament for the first time in over 40 years in 1987 was a particular source of pride. Matt married his high school sweetheart Marlene Popesh on June 11, 1960 at St. Martins Catholic Church in Tower. After a brief residence in Aurora, they made Hoyt Lakes their home where they raised their four children. He and Marlene were extremely devoted parents and they enjoyed a very happy marriage until her untimely death in 1993. On May 25th, 2002, Matt married the second love of his life, Norma Swanson at Resurrection Catholic Church in Eveleth. He felt truly blessed to have had two wonderful wives. Matt was a fan of sports at all levels – playing baseball and basketball in high school, being a coach and organizer at the youth and high school levels and being and avid follower of the local professional sports teams, most notably the Vikings and Twins. He was an avid gardener. Matt enjoyed spending time at the family home on Lake Vermilion and fishing that lake as well as trips into Trout Lake. Every year he looked forward to netting whitefish, some of which he smoked to perfection. Matt was a selfless person who dedicated his entire life to helping others. He took great pride in the accomplishments of his children, and, in particular, his grandchildren. He was a true friend and had a great sense of humor – one that he maintained up until his last days. Matt is survived by: his wife Norma; three sons Mathew “Chip” (Kathy) of Eveleth, Michael of Egan, and Patrick (Trina) of Eagan; daughter Mary of Apple Valley; two step-sons Ryan (Amy) of Hoyt Lakes, and Rob (Nikki) of Hoyt Lakes; fifteen grandchildren Laura, Thomas and Helayna Sjoberg, Madelyn, John and Joe Sjoberg, Kiran Sjoberg, Grace and Jack Sjoberg, Kellie Swanson, Madison, Kylie and Cole Meyer, and Kara and Emily Swanson; two sisters Judy (Jerry Fluegel, and Margaret “Peg” (John) Seliga; brother-in-laws and sister-in-laws Joe Kingman, Betty Folkens, Patti Morley, Bud (Kathy) Popesh, Keith (Jeanette) Johnson, Chuck (Barb) Johnson, Gerald (Joanne) Johnson, Jack (Dawn) Johnson, and Jeanne Benson; and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents Lawrence and Ellen Sjoberg; first wife Marlene; special father and mother-in-laws Frank and Vida (Mesojedec) Popesh; and brother and sister-in-laws Matt Benson, Kathy Kingman, and Jerry and Mary Whittlesey.