March 30, 1983 – May 8, 2025

Matthew Paul Whitmore passed away in his sleep on Thursday, May 8, 2025, at his home in South Saint Paul, Minn. He was 42 years old.

Matt was born in Roseau, Minn., to Charles and Kelly Whitmore. He lived in Warroad, Minn., until 1987, when his family moved to Bemidji, Minn. After living there briefly and beginning kindergarten, Matt moved to Cook to finish out the school year. His sweet, funny nature earned him lifelong friends instantly, and he graduated from Cook High School in 2001. While in Cook, Matt worked for the Cook Building Center and the Youth Conservation Corps. He was still telling stories about those jobs.

Matt attended Itasca Community College in Grand Rapids, Minn., before transferring to the University of Minnesota. There he completed a Bachelor of Science degree in Forestry in 2006, as well as a degree in Business a year later from U of M’s Carlton School of Business. Throughout his career, Matt worked primarily as a data analyst for the MN Department of Health and Human Services. He was an extremely hard worker all the way up until his death, despite health problems. He was very proud of his current job and enjoyed it, and he always spoke highly of the coworkers and bosses he’d had in various positions over the years. He had recently been recognized for 15 years of service to the State of Minnesota.

There were so many things Matt enjoyed. He was involved in every sport and gave his all, but he excelled in – and truly loved – baseball. Starting with teeball, Matt played all the way through the grades, until he was pitching for the Cook Little Gophers high school team. When he wasn’t playing the sports anymore, he was watching them – any Minnesota sports team.

Matt also very much loved the outdoors. He was an avid hunter and fisherman most of his life, and he will go down in history (in his family, at least) as the one who bagged the elusive “Mr. Big” buck in 2003. As soon as Matt bought his beloved house in 2021, Mr. Big was there. So were his huge walleye from Mille Lacs Lake, his Super Nintendo, every note and card he’d ever received, and so many framed pictures of the people he loved.

Some of Matt’s favorite places include the family cabin near Mille Lacs Lake, Colorado, Florida, the North Shore of Minnesota, the “secret” lakes he fished and grounds he hunted with his dad and other family members, and Saint Paul. Despite his small town-minded family members and their dismay that he wanted to live in “the big city,” he loved South Saint Paul. He loved walking around his neighborhood, winding down closer to the Mississippi River. He loved having so many friends nearby, and though he wasn’t in close touch with them at the end like he always had been, he treasured them so much.

A dear friend recently said of Matt, “He was kind to everyone, no matter where they came from.” He absolutely was. And he was the best son, brother, grandson, nephew, cousin, uncle, brother-in-law and friend one could ever hope to have. He was the #1, as he always put in his cards to his loved ones (along with detailed drawings, like of his dad shooting a turkey and the feathers flying everywhere).

Matt is survived by his parents, Charles (Chuck) and Kelly Whitmore of Cook; sister, Laura (Adam) Bjerk of Bemidji; nephew, Lewis Bjerk and niece, Marilyn Bjerk, of Bemidji; numerous aunts, uncles and cousins; his cat, Emma; and many, many friends.

He was preceded in death by his paternal grandparents, maternal grandparents, great aunt, and too many classmates, especially his dear friend Joel Kantola.

A funeral Mass for Matt will be held on Saturday, June 21, at 11 a.m., at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Cook. A lunch and reception will follow. If you would like, please wear a “plain white tee” to the reception. We want to honor Matt and his love of music (especially ’90s music) and fun. Condolences to www.mlakerfuneralhome.com.