Matthew Ray Reurink
July 15, 1983 ~ December 9, 2015
Matthew Ray Reurink, 32, Sioux Falls, died unexpectedly, at home, Wednesday, December 9, 2015, from health issues.
Family Visitation will be 11am – 1pm, Saturday, December 12, 2015, at Heartland Funeral Home, with Funeral Services beginning at 1pm.
Matthew Ray Reurink was born in Sioux Falls, on July 15, 1983. He was adopted by Donald and Janice (Van Heerde) Reurink, and at three days old, taken home. He slept soundly through his first night while his nervous first time parents stood by, wide awake. Matt attended school in Sioux Falls and graduated from Lincoln High School. Matt was an aspiring musician at a very young age. He was known to go into the driveway, stand on his trike with his plastic guitar in hand, dressed in cowboy hat and vest, and bellar at the top of his lungs, “I’m a Honky-tonk Man!” Being an animal lover, Matt’s first job was at Your Pet Stop. This eventually carried over to his collection of fish, bottle lambs, and bunnies that he wanted to sell but ended up giving to friends so he could stay in touch with them. He also attended and graduated from SE Vo-tech with degrees in Business and Marketing. Pawn America was also a favorite place to work for Matt but his dream was to own and operate his own business. He started, and then went full time with his dream, PanGalactic Gaming: an online card collecting and gaming company.
In 2006, through mutual interests on gaming and comics, Matt met and eventually started dating, Rachiel Parker. They were married on June 5, 2010, in Sioux Falls. Rachiel’s two children were a source of pride and joy for Matt. He adored Aurora and Kysen and supported them through their activities of marching band, first rock concerts, and Matt introduced Kysen to Europa Universalis and Crusader Kings, two of Kysen’s favorite computer games. (Kysen loves history, and both of these games have strong, historically accurate elements.)
Matt enjoyed music, comics, fishing with his grandpa, old “Kung-foo” movies, writing poetry, and vegetable gardening. He will be remembered for his calmness, encouragement and passion for peacemaking and rationalism.
Matt is survived by his wife, Rachiel, and two children, Aurora and Kysen Lewis, Sioux Falls; his parents, Donald and Janice (Van Heerde) Reurink, Brandon; grandmother, Johanna Van Heerde, Colton; and many aunts, uncles, and cousins.
So heartbreaking. I’m so sorry for your loss.
I still remember all the excitement on the first Christmas he was in the family. My family and I were at Grandma’s house that year. When Matthew came in with Don and Jan, all attention turned to him. He was the gift for the whole family that year.
May your faith in God get you through this very difficult time. Praying for you all.
Love Michelle.
Sorry to hear about Matthew. I think of your family whenever I see the stuffed animals Grandma Reka had given to Matthew and you gave them to me when you moved to Brandon. Praying for you in this difficult time.
Thank you for your son’s love and comfort for Rachiel, Aurora and Kysen. He was a real blessing for us too. So little time we had to know him. Our prayers to the God of comfort will be on our hearts for you. Christian love toward you in your time of loss.
I always seen u at pawn America talked about movies. Will miss seeing u there rip man
I am so sorry Don and Jan!! Matthew was such a great man, son, husband, father…you guys and Matthew were the best neighbors a person could ask for! I always enjoyed visiting with him. May God’s love surround and comfort you all at this difficult time. Keep the memories close in your heart! Know that you are all in my thoughts and prayers! God bless, Lori
My condolences to the whole family. I am sure grandpa will look out for him.
God Bless!