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James “Matt” Brennan

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Service Information

James “Matt” Brennan, husband of Jane, age 70, of Darwin, Minnesota, passed away on July 9, 2023, at his home in Darwin.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Sunday, July 30, 2023, from 1:00-5:00 P.M. at the Darwin Rod and Gun Club in Darwin.

Visitation/Gathering
Darwin Rod and Gun Club
68350 US Highway 12
Dassel, MN
Meeker
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Funeral Chapel
Hantge Funeral Chapel
100 First Street
Darwin, MN 55324
Phone:(320) 693-8710
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Obituary

Matt (James) Brennan, 70, of Darwin, MN, passed away unexpectedly on July 9th, 2023, at his home. He was born on May 6, 1953, in Madelia, MN, the son of James B. and Mary M. (Lansing) Brennan.

Matt graduated from Madelia High School and later went on to Vocational School. He pursued his career in Agronomy through his retirement in December of 2019. Matt married the love of his life, Jane (Wemeier) Brennan in 1982. They celebrated their 41st year of marriage on May 1, 2023.

Matt was a true example of a loving husband, brother, dad, grandpa, and friend who always put others before himself. He loved living on the lake with his partner in crime (Jane). Together they love to go on pontoon rides, fish off the dock/ice fish, have coffee with the neighbors, go on wildlife runs, make countless memories with their grandkids, and go on Sanford and Sons runs. You could also always find Matt sitting on the veranda with his fly swatter and a cold one and cleaning up after Jane in the kitchen.

Survived by his loving wife Jane (Wemeier) Brennan, his son Joe and wife Nicole (Koistinen) Brennan and their children Brooklynn and Zach, his son Will and wife Brittany (Karls) Brennan and their children Carson, Landon, and Rogan, and his stepson Nate and wife Tami (Eisenschenk) Bliss and their children Caden, Masen, and Ashten.

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Garth Albers says

    July 10, 2023 at 1:57 pm

    So sorry for your loss Jane
    Garth Albers

    Reply
  2. Brad & Bonnie Hahn says

    July 10, 2023 at 2:06 pm

    Jane, Joe and Will
    This was a shock to hear and brought sadness to any who knew ‘Matt’! We loved your husband and dad. Always so much fun at sporting events of Brent and Will. He could tease but take it back too! Always a smile, a how are you, and constant teasing ( of Bonnie anyway!) We will hold you all in our prayers and may God continue to hold you in His loving embrace and give you Peace. Remember the good times and laugh about his ways.
    RIP Matt ~~ Beloved Child of God.

    Reply
  3. Justin and Lindsy Hackett Family says

    July 10, 2023 at 2:32 pm

    Our condolences to the whole Brennan family on the loss of a wonderful man. He will always be remembered for his jokes, love of family and all of his kind gestures he left along the way. May you continue to hold on to his memory and know that he shines through each and every one of you. We are always here for you just like how Matt displayed.

    Reply
  4. Madrienne Weber says

    July 10, 2023 at 3:27 pm

    Jane and family
    Sorry to hear of Matt’s passing. You have our sincere sympathy. Hope you are doing well.

    Reply
  5. Connie Simmons says

    July 10, 2023 at 3:39 pm

    Jane, I am so sorry to hear about Matt. Keeping you and the boys in my prayers. We had some good times in the old days.

    Connie Simmons

    Reply
  6. Art & Diane Templin says

    July 10, 2023 at 4:22 pm

    So sad to hear about the passing of Matt. Hard to believe. Will always have found memories of our years working together. You and your family have our deepest and sincere condolences

    Reply
  7. Curt Burns says

    July 10, 2023 at 9:14 pm

    Matt’s Family,
    May God’s Peace give you all comfort during this difficult time of Matt’s passing. I got to know Matt 32 years ago when he was managing Glencoe Butter and Produce Agronomy division and I was starting out as an independent crop consultant from Stewart. He took the time to visit with me and help me get started on “knowing the business”. We clicked right away with our conversations about farming because he was “old school” and I was taught old school ways growing up on the farm and in college. He was always gracious with his time for me when I would stop in the office for a visit. He was the same way until he retired. I will always be grateful for our friendship and he will be missed by everyone that knew him. Your friend in Christ, Curt Burns

    Reply
  8. Tim and Karla Ardolf says

    July 11, 2023 at 3:29 am

    Oh Jane, we were so shocked and saddened to hear of Matt’s passing. We had such a great visit when we were just there. And Karla has many memories of the boys hanging out and playing sports in younger years. Was always a smile on Matt’s face when he greeted you, and you knew for sure there were some laughs coming. He will surely be missed! Hugs to you and prayers God brings you peace in the days ahead.

    Reply
  9. Brenda Ruch says

    July 11, 2023 at 6:28 am

    So sorry Jane and family. So glad I got to see u both in New Ulm! My thoughts and prayers to all ??. Brenda Ruch

    Reply
  10. JERRY AND PEGGY RANNOW says

    July 11, 2023 at 8:58 am

    JANE & FAMILY MY HEART IS FIILED WITH SO MUST SADNESS. MATT WAS A GOOD GUY. WE HAD SOME FUN TIMES! MAY HE REST IN PEACE! J.R.&PEGGY

    Reply
  11. Paul Loren Lemke says

    July 11, 2023 at 11:35 am

    Jane, Joe, and Will

    Amy and myself are deeply saddened by the loss of Matt. He was a wonderful man and father. Our deepest sympathies to you and your families.

    Paul and Amy Lemke

    Reply
  12. Linda Hoernemann says

    July 11, 2023 at 2:04 pm

    Jane and family, So sorry to hear of Matt’s passing. I enjoyed our visits when he would come in to our HearingLife office. Always had good stories to tell. May the good Lord help you through this difficult time.
    Your friends & HearingLife in Glencoe
    Linda Hoernemann & Joel Haag

    Reply
  13. Carol Dammann says

    July 11, 2023 at 5:39 pm

    Jane and family, so sorry for your loss! My deepest sympathies. Sending prayers to help you through this difficult time.
    Carol Dammann

    Reply
  14. Gloria eisenschenk says

    July 11, 2023 at 6:19 pm

    Jane and family, we were shocked and so sorry to hear of Matts passing. Looked so good when we saw you a couple weeks ago at the mall.
    I am glad Nate , Tami, Masen and Ashten were able to spend the 4th with you. Sad Caden had school.
    You have been in my thoughts and prayers

    Gloria and Dave Eisenschenk

    Reply
  15. Ronald Halverson says

    July 12, 2023 at 8:26 pm

    I hung out with Matt a few times back in high school. Matt and his good high school friend Curt Housman. I lost track of both as I went off to serve in the Army and we all went our ways in life. And little did I know he lived close to me as we live in Glencoe. My
    Condolences to your family!

    Ron Halverson

    Reply
  16. Rich & Roseann Nagel says

    July 12, 2023 at 9:11 pm

    I had the pleasure of working with Matt back in the 70s at Tri-Ag Services in Arlington. I will never forget his easy-going, gracious demeanor. Our heartfelt sympathy to you Jane, and to your family.

    Reply
  17. Jerry Julius says

    July 13, 2023 at 6:45 pm

    My sincere Sympathy to Jane and family on the loss of my friend Matt from our Arlington years.
    Wow, I was shocked and saddened when Pat called me. We had a lot of fun together and I still tell stories about those times.
    Matt was a great guy and friend.
    He will be missed!!

    Reply
  18. Jerry Julius says

    July 14, 2023 at 11:26 am

    Jane and Family:
    My sincere Sympathy to you all.
    Matt and I were great friends while we both lived and worked in Arlington. He was a great guy and I have thought about him a lot over the years since then.
    Sorry for your loss.

    Reply
  19. James Marka says

    July 16, 2023 at 11:48 am

    Jane, Joe, Will and Murphy.
    Sorry for your loss, Matt’s a GREAT guy!

    Jim and Sue Marka

    Reply
  20. Kay Hughes Reed says

    July 17, 2023 at 1:48 pm

    I have not seen Matt in many years. We were first cousins as his mom & mine were twin sisters. I am so sorry to hear of his passing. My condolences to his family, my other cousins & their families.

    Reply
  21. Jim Simmons says

    July 18, 2023 at 10:04 pm

    Matt was one of the very best. A great friend. My condolences to Jane and family.

    Reply
  22. Ginette Schwarze says

    July 20, 2023 at 4:45 pm

    Jane, so sorry to hear about Matt. I have so many great memories of those work trips the four of us took together. Rodney and Matt’s flamingo training always comes to mind. Sympathy to you and your family.

    Reply
  23. Philip Keefauver says

    July 25, 2023 at 8:59 am

    Brennan Family- I have known and worked with Matt off and on for over 30 years in this crazy Ag business. I called on him during my early years in ag sales and took away lessons from him that have carried me through a career. Even in difficult circumstances Matt always found something positive to say and do. He treated every farm he worked with as if it was his own and always had the customers best interests in mind. I remember the “father/son” fishing trips to Canada when he would bring the boys. The three of them always seemed to be the center of attention as I think folks were just naturally drawn to want to be around Matt. Although there is joy in knowing he is with our Lord our hearts are heavy as he will be missed.
    Deepest sympathies – Phil and Correne Keefauver

    Reply
  24. David Rye says

    July 27, 2023 at 6:51 pm

    So sorry for your loss Jane.

    Matt was one of my favorite dealers when I had the territory with American cyanamid.

    His laugh and mischievous grin will be missed by all. And no doubt he’s in heaven chuckling about the rabbits he gave our kids who chewed up our woodwork!

    A great man of solid ethics.

    You are in our thoughts and prayers.

    Dave and Monica Rye

    Reply

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