Thank you all for your kind words, thoughts, and prayers during this time. My uncle Matt was loved by many and it has been an honor to hear stories of his life from everyone.
If you are interested in viewing a video memorial containing his most played songs and some of his favorite memories, click the following link: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1dl-KXTZrGBRVxsZ1DChxNifp0oXGBVnt/view?usp=sharing
If you are interested in honoring Matt, you are welcome to donate to his memorial scholarship fund that is awarded to a UNL student each year. The information is below:
Gifts in memory of Matthew Kutscher may be made to the Wendy Buettow Memorial Fund (Fund #01106850) at the University of Nebraska Foundation, P.O. Box 82555, Lincoln NE 68501-2555. Please make checks payable to the NU Foundation, include on the memo line or enclosed note that the gift is in memory of Matthew Kutscher, and provide the fund name and number. Please visit nufoundation.org to make an online gift: https://nufoundation.org/fund/01106850/
Lastly, the full obituary has been copied below. Again, thank you all for your love and support during this time of grieving for our family.
Matthew Carl Kutscher
A Life Well Lived
On a cold icy December 16th, in 1967, Matthew Carl Kutscher was born to Ken and Jean Kutscher in Fairbury Nebraska. He spent his early years in Hebron Nebraska. When Matt was learning to walk, as a hand was offered to help, he would say “No, I do it.” This became his philosophy of life, not asking for or wanting very little help. He wanted to learn and be independent. In May of 1970, Matt was joined by his brother Brian. In their early years, a rivalry began that lasted for many years. In 1972, the family moved to the family farm southeast of Belvidere Nebraska. Here Matt learned the value of hard work and helping others. He greatly enjoyed spending time outdoors with his parents and grandparents. Whether it was farming work or just a picnic near a pasture, Matt loved the dialog and learning that came with each days’ tasks. He was involved in 4-H, both cattle and hogs, and participated in Hebron’s summer baseball programs. He attended grade school and high school in Hebron. He was a high school wrestler and ran cross country. In 1975, brother Tracy joined the family and in 1977 sister Carman was born. Matt graduated from Hebron high school in 1986.
After graduation, Matt attended Dana College, but struggled to find his passion and returned to Hebron to work and attend Southeast Community College in Beatrice Nebraska. From here, Matt chose to transfer to the University of Nebraska Lincoln where he earned a Bachelors’ Degree in Education in 1998. While being involved in student life, he was lucky to find the love of his life Wendy Buettow! They were married on July 18, 1998. Together they shared a love for life and learning which was contagious to all they encountered. Wendy encouraged Matt to work on his Master’s degree and teach in and around Lincoln. He started at the school for Arts and Humanities, followed by The Zoo School, Raymond Central, North Star, and Lincoln High.
In 2008, a tragedy struck the family. Matt was driving on the road to Midland College to teach a graduate class when he had a Grand Mal Seizure. Luckily Wendy was able to steer the car off the road to save them. After being transported to the hospital, a brain tumor was discovered, and surgery was recommended followed by radiation. After recovery, Matt was determined to return to education. Along his journey, tragedy struck again. In August 2008, Wendy was killed in a car accident north of Lincoln. Matt had been working on his Doctorate degree and proudly walked across the stage to accept his PHD a week after Wendy’s funeral.
In 2011 and 2012, Matt taught at Doane college in the education department. He returned to the University of Nebraska in 2013 to be an Academic Technology Specialist. With this title, Matt made it his life’s purpose to continue to learn and grow with technology to be able to integrate technology into every day education. During this time, he also became an adjunct professor for online classes at the University of Nebraska at Kearney. In his work, he touched countless students and built many great friendships which brought joy to his life. He worked at both universities until his death.
It was a long 14 year battle that Matt was determined to beat from day one. Because of his determination and his “I do it” attitude, Matt was successful in reaching his educational goals. Because of his success, Matt wanted others to be successful as well and dedicated himself to helping them and along the way gained many friendships. He lived his life to the fullest traveling the world and learning new things every day by living with the philosophy of “Ancora Imparo,” which is translated to “Yet, I am learning.”
