Matthew Pitzel, 61, of Moorhead, MN, left this earth on Wednesday, October 21, 2026. Matthew Joktan Pitzel, “Matty,” entered this world in Kenosha, Wisconsin, a bit early, on February 14, 1965. He weighed only four pounds. His parents, Monroe Pitzel and Rose (Ulschmid) Pitzel moved back to Minnesota in Matt’s first year of life. Back in Minnesota, Matt was just a little over one year old when his very own baby sister, Jessica, arrived on May 9, 1966. For the next 60 plus years, Matt would be Jessie’s best friend, bodyguard, and accomplice in countless adventures and shenanigans.
Matt spent much of his early life on the Pitzel farm and lakes near Frazee and Vergas, MN. He and Jessie spent most weekends and long summer days playing around the farm, chopping wood, riding dirt bikes, swimming, and, most importantly to Matty, fishing, and having family fish fries.
In the early 1970s, the family briefly moved to West Fargo, North Dakota when Monty took a job at the meat packing plant. Matty and Jessie formed enduring friendships with many West Fargo kids. In 1976, the family moved into their home in north Moorhead where Matt would forge many more friendships. If Matt called you a friend, it was for life.
Matt attended St. Francis Catholic grade school and Moorhead High, graduating in 1983. Matt was a formidable athlete, holding long-standing weightlifting records. He was also a terrifying linebacker and shot putter.
Matt was skilled with his hands; he could turn a piece of wood or steel into a tool, toy, fishing lure, or weapon. He even created a “tri-pointed guitar pick” for his brother-in-law, “Johnny,” out of three dental Plackers! His latest passion was carving and sanding beautiful walking sticks from numerous species of wood. Matt frequently hunted for unique trees from which to produce gorgeous, smooth walking sticks.
Matt’s uncanny, powerful body, served him well over the years. Whether he was stacking massive tires in a warehouse, or doing roofing, construction, or painting with his dad, his work was perfect. Nobody could create a smoother drywall seam than Matt.
His huge hands could “crush a coconut” (Matt’s terminology). But he would rather gently pet a kitten. Matty loved cats! He especially loved his big orange “Cotty” who lived with him until his recent health issues.
In May 1991, Matt welcomed his beloved son, Spencer, into this world. Matt was very proud of Spencer. He taught him to hunt and fish like a pro. Matt beamed with pride when he watched Spencer be sworn in as a Police Officer in Duluth, MN. Matt’s face would glow brightly whenever he got a call from Detective Spencer Pitzel!
If one visited with Matt for any time, the conversation would often progress toward fishing. Oh fishing! Since boyhood, Matt cherished the outdoors. Any season was fishing season. And he knew the ropes like few others! Many of his best friends (Matt had many best friends, by the way) accompanied him to the lakes and rivers to learn from the master.
Matt said “he only did things that made his soul grin.” If he couldn’t go fishing, he would tell stories about fishing. In fact, Matt never ran out of fishing stories, or ANY kind of stories. He had many interests, and many tales. And the epics usually grew more fantastic with each telling. His sister Jessie would sometimes call his bluff and “reel” him in.
As Matt shared his adventures and ideas, his massive “bear paw” hands might land softly on a shoulder or arm to punctuate his narrative. Being close to Matt was unforgettable.
Matt’s last job before retiring was as an Activity Professional in a retirement home. This was his true calling! There, he was a friend to all of the residents. He regaled them with his stories, brought them snacks, called bingo, taught a new dictionary word every day, showed off his fishing lures and other gadgets, played the pig dice game, and of course, provided his people with his legendary massages.
Matt was a gentle giant (as long as you didn’t hurt his sister, family, or friends); but his heart and personality were even more giant. His booming baritone voice and laugh will echo in the lives of all who knew and loved him.
Although not a “churchy” guy (a cathedral could not contain Matt’s theology), Matt loved, and believed in Jesus, and is probably teaching Him how to fish right now.
Matt would not want people blubbering and sobbing at his funeral; he told his sister exactly that. Rather, go and do things that make your soul grin.
Matthew’s people who got to heaven before him are…. his parents, his twin brothers, James Monroe, and Jerome Michael, grandparents, Carl and Emma (Kratzke) Pitzel, Frank and Ann (Joachim) Ulschmid, many aunts, uncles, friends, and family members.
Matt’s people who continue on this journey are son Spencer (Emily Wasko), sister Jessica (John) Pitzel Anderson, Emily Anderson, Martha and Bobby Bruce, Mason Reinhiller, Brian, Lauren, and Elijah Anderson, aunts, Winnie Ulschmid, Janice Watt, and Bette Pitzel, and uncle Michael Pitzel, many cousins and kids in his life from previous relationships, especially Richard Keeney and his son Quentin Mathew.
There will be a celebration gathering for Matt on Saturday, November 7, 2026, from 2 – 5 PM, at Murphy’s Pub in Moorhead. Classic rock, like AC/DC and Deep Purple, was the soundtrack of Matt’s life. And it will be heard in abundance at his party.
A small family graveside service will be held in the spring of 2027. On that day, his ashes will be laid to rest with his parents, Monty and Rose at Sacred Heart Cemetery in Frazee, Minnesota.
Online memories and condolences may be shared at https://www.korsmofuneralservice.com/obituaries/matthew-pitzel
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