Matthew D. Johnson

Matthew Donald Roufs Johnson, age 40, of Buffalo MN, and formerly of Sunburg, died Saturday, April 19, 2025, at Aspirus Wausau Hospital in Wausau, WI due to injuries sustained in a car accident. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 A.M. on Friday, April 25th (what would have been Matt’s 41st birthday) at Grace Church in Alexandria, with Pastor Ken Gibbs officiating. Visitation will be from 5:00 – 7:00 P.M. on Thursday at the Hoplin-Hitchcock Funeral Home in Glenwood and will continue on Friday at the church, one hour prior to the service. Interment will follow in Hudson Twp Cemetery, rural Alexandria. Arrangements are with Hoplin-Hitchcock Funeral Home of Glenwood. 

Matthew Donald Roufs Johnson, “Matt” for those who knew and loved him, was born on Wednesday, April 25, 1984 in Sauk Centre, MN to Melissa “Ruthie” (Fisher) and Donald Johnson. Matt eventually gained the very best Dad he could have asked for when Ruthie married James “Jim” Welte in 1992. Growing up, Matt spent as much time as possible outside playing football, baseball, fishing, caring for various animals, and being generally mischievous. He loved going fishing with Grandpa Clarence and to help him on the Kirckof farm whenever he could. As he got older, Matt fell even more in love with fishing, cars and, of course, girls. Into adulthood, Matt maintained his deep connection with the outdoors as well as traveling. More than all of these, Matt deeply and fiercely loved his family and friends. His children, little Matthew and Bella meant everything to him. 

Matt is survived by his parents Melissa “Ruthie” (James) Welte of Alexandria and Donald Johnson of Washington; his children, Matthew and Bella; siblings, Bryan (Kassandra) Welte, Megan (David) Conrad, Sara Welte, Daina Welte and Kayden Welte; nephews, Odin Welte, Hunter Robinson and Toby Koenig; nieces, Avangeline Johnson, Scarlett Koenig, Melissa Runge and Elizabeth Conrad; aunts and uncles, Matt (Luan) Fisher, Kathy (Dawn Hazeman) Jacobson, Mike Jacobson, Janice (Dean) Sorby, Kelly Kirckof, Alan (Mary) Welte  and Sarah Lewis; along with many cousins and their spouses and children.

Matt was preceded in death by his grandparents, Clarence and Ruth Kirckof and Clint and Sally Welte; his aunt, Debbie Detloff; two uncles, Jimmy Johnson and Bill Detloff, a cousin, Shawna Jacobson; and a great many friends.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to Kingdom Works 1-888-364-GIVE (4483) or wallet.subsplash.com/ui/embed/B3BPW7.

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