Matthew Knutson
Matthew Carl Knutson, age 62, passed away peacefully on Monday, August 10, 2020 at his home in St. Louis, Missouri. He was born July 19, 1958 to Conrad and Ramona Knutson.
At age 21, Matt worked as a deckhand on the towboat, transporting cargo on a barge. He loved spending days on the Mississippi river. Often times, he would work for 4 weeks before returning home. Matt earned the nickname, “River Rat Matt.” He then transitioned to a mechanic for the rest of his career. He was the one to call if you were stranded and broke down on the road. It didn’t matter if it was the middle of a snow storm or the middle of the night, he would be there for you. Regardless of whether you were a friend, family member, or stranger, Matt was always willing to help. Matt had a God given gift for free hand art animation and even though he called it a hobby, he was a true artist and his creations will live forever. He loved fishing and camping and float trips with his family and friends. He was a gentle soul full of warmth, kindness, thoughtfulness and will always be remembered as such.
Matt was preceded in death by his parents: Conrad and Ramona Knutson and his sister Nancy Knutson. He is survived by his brother Mark Knutson, twin brother Mike Knutson, sister Julie (Knutson) Draper, as well as nieces and nephews. He is also survived by Audra Carter, the long-time love of his life and countless friends. Everyone who knew Matt is asked to celebrate his life and keep his kindness in your heart
So many memories keep coming to me, I’ll share this one. Scot and I went on a camping/float trip that we did often. This time we chose the Coutouis river in Steelville MO. Much to our surprise ,we had a knock on the camper door. It was Matt and his friend Dave. He was like ,”Hey Julie, heard you and Scot were floating today, care if we join”? Long story short, he came completely unprepared, we shared, and had one if the best floats ever. We laughed our asses off and Scot said, only your brother Matt shows up unannounced to a float trip and makes it awesome!
Love you Matt!
Matt was always the kind older brother of my best friend. He was tall and intimidating when I was five years old, but as an adult I remember his smile and the funny things he would say to Nancy. Condolences to his family and everyone who loved him.
Matt was a wonderful Soul he had many many friends very much in love with Audra I wish you the best in your new life Matt rest in peaceyou will be very much missed
My first time meeting Matt was amazing my car broke down at my friend’s house my brakes went out. she says let me call Matt he came there in a flash. he fixed my brakes and I got his phone number he was just a happy kinda guy as the years passed he became my best friend and then I fell head over heels in love with him I had many wonderful times with him he was my soul mate and I love him always and forever God bless you Matt you will be very missed
Two different times I’ve tried to leave a message on Matt’s obituary page. I’m not sure what I’m doing wrong, but it just hasn’t gone through. So I’ll try this way to leave a message for you Matt. Rest in peace my nephew, you so deserve it. I don’t know if I ever told you this, but when you and Mike were little, your mom would give the baby clothes that you grew out of to aunt Sherry and me. We would dress our walking dolls and have twins just like you and Mike. And oh the excitement on the farm when all of you were coming home. After six hours of driving, your station wagon would pull up and kids will start piling out. You always had the biggest grin on your face, Matt. It was so fun on the farm back then, when you were home all of the other kids would come home to. The house was filled with little boys giggles and laughing. I was so impressed with how quickly your dad could snatch one of you up, put you across his knee and give you a good whack even with only one arm. For weeks after all of you went back home, grandpa Thompson would walk around the farm and scratch his head and say “oh those boys”!???????????? Grandma Thompson would just grin and have that wonderful proud grandma look on her face. I’m sorry to say that as you grew up, we grew apart. But I hope you alway felt our family love.You were such a quiet, kind soul. So rest in peace with your heavenly family. I pray that your earthly family and friends will share and treasure the memories they have with you. Love, your aunt DeeDee????
With a ten year, and one day age difference between us, we didn’t have much in common. Despite the age gap, Matt’s personality couldn’t be ignored. Very few words were spoken, but his amazing artwork was loud, bold, full of excitement, fun loving, carefree, in your face, and literally displayed proudly all over the walls. It doesn’t take much imagination to realize, Benjamin Stone, the main character in Matt’s art is his own self portrait – a unique, yet quirky biography in comic form.
From the first day I met your family, it was obvious you looked up to your big brother, his art work, his choice of music, and the mechanical genius residing inside.
Just before my 12th birthday party. Matt gave you a ride to the music store and offered his near professional advice in album choices. Disco, hiphop and rap weren’t his cup of tea. Glass Houses and Supertramp’s Breakfast In America were promised to be a perfect fit. And they were. Not to disappoint, Bad Company became his first choice for a latter birthday – a perfect sound that was never outgrown.
Before we could drive, Viki’s parent’s divorce brought her to Chesterfield. So far away, it might as well have been The Land of Oz. Looking back, Matt would’ve been about 23 years old and certainly had better things to do than play taxi to a bunch of teenie boppers but he did. And Matt gave us our first ride in a hotrod on the interstate at 90 miles an hour. Okay, I admit, I was terrified but it was great fun at the same time.
About 5 years later, Matt could be found putting a new engine in my car. I’m not sure how much he charged but I’m certain it was half the price of the going rate. Something tells me that wasn’t a family discount but instead, in his character not to overcharge anyone – a trait certainly passed on to him from his father.
That reminds me of a trip to Shreves Engines in the City with Matt. Perhaps I’m easily intimidated outside familiar comfort zones. Bars on the windows were proof, in my mind, that we weren’t safe. Matt wasn’t scared. I don’t think he was scared of anything or anyone, ever.
Tears flow down my cheeks as I write this, saddened by how Matt’s death affects you, your family, his friends, and the World, another fallen victim of the drug crisis.
An epidemic within a pandemic. Matt was much more than a statistic. A son, a brother, a twin, an uncle, a friend. We didn’t understand drug addiction. He might not have either. Addiction is pure tragedy. Whether classified as a disease or not, its stranglehold is real. So prevalent in society, it’s no longer taboo. Our nation, the entire World, needs to multitask to put an end to this horrible atrocity against humanity.
My heart goes out to the Knutson family, truly sorry for your loss, and hope you all find peace soon with loving memories to ease the grief. Audrey, when I saw you two together there was much love in the room, and I am sorry you two had to be separated by Matt leaving this world right now, but I am sure it’s part of a greater plan, and you will slowly get through in your own time. Time truly does heal all losses, the memories become more soothing instead of tearful in time. Take heart in knowing your friends are here anytime you feel weak and need their strength, lean on us. You need to vent, talk to us. You need a hug, we have open arms and hearts to share. My memories of Matt, he was very good to my best friend and made her happy, he was a kind person, very pleasant to be around, and a humble man. I am so glad Aud and Matt found each other and had spent time together.
May his memory be eternal.