Matthew Warren Bierwagen

Matthew Warren Bierwagen was born January 19th, 1981 to Jason and Loretta (Simek) Bierwagen. Despite all odds Matt continued to thrive and grew up in Volin, SD. He overcame many health problems. He loved to ride his bike, target shoot, fish, woodwork with his dad, weld, lift weights, and tease his sister. At the age of 12 Matt was diagnosed with renal failure. He pushed through and graduated in 1999 from Gayville-Volin High School. After graduation Matt became a highly skilled welder at Southeast Tech.
Throughout the years Matt lived many places: Gayville, SD; Sioux Falls, SD; Connecticut; Yankton, SD; Dallas, TX; Jefferson, SD; and Sioux City, IA. Matt was an overcomer. He loved to push his body past what it told him and do what he wanted to anyway. He worked as a carpenter, plumber, and welder with his father for many years, and also as a bouncer.
As an adult Matt loved being with his friends and family. He loved to pheasant hunt and fish with his brother-in-law Gerry, his mother, and step-dad Larry. He was a feisty card and game player and was known to win at a 3 handed game of pinnacle. That was the Czech in him. Target shooting was a favorite pass time with his best friend Jenn Morales and also his friend Dennis. His love for firearms came from his close relationship with his Uncle Clayton. He loved going out on the town and just being with his friends. The unstoppable Matthew Bierwagen even won a state record in bench pressing in his weight class!
In recent years, Matt’s health limited his ability to do the things he loved, but his joy, laughter, and strength pushed on. He always had a joke or funny story to tell. He loved being the center of the room. Matt passed away suddenly on November 23, 2018 from natural causes due to health issues. His last day was spent surrounded by those he loved the most. His Thanksgiving was spent laughing, cuddling, and tickling tiny toes on his beloved nephew Isaac.
Matthew was survived by his mother Loretta (Larry Vogel) Bierwagen and father Jason (Dani Jo) Bierwagen, sister Jennifer (Gerry) Bollig, and nephew Isaac Matthew Bollig, all of Yankton, SD. He is also survived by his God-parents Clayton and Susan Bierwagen, his Uncle Lloyd Peterson, and his favorite people Jenn and Charlie Morales and Matt Andes. He leaves behind uncountable lives he has touched: Wallace Simek of Fayetteville, NC; Alta (Norville) Pontius of Magnolia, DE; Gloria (Ernie) Merkwan of Tabor, SD; Myron (Janet) Simek of Springfield, SD; Bruce (Beverly) Simek of Tyndall, SD; Clayton (Susan) Bierwagen of Sioux Falls, SD; Barbara Brunick of Texas; and many cousins throughout the country.
Preceding Matt in death are his: maternal grandparents, Adam and Mable Simek; paternal grandparents, Arthur and Clara Bierwagen; and Godmother and Aunt, Cindy Peterson.
In Matt’s passing he has received his eternal healing. The chains of machines and medicines are gone. He is free to walk and run and praise God. Until we meet again, our dearest Matthew.