The Superior Express -

On Oct. 24, 1980, a boy was born in Belleville, Kansas. He was God's answer to many prayers. His parents named him Matthew John: Matthew, because he was a "Gift of God," and John after both his grandpas: John Hofts and John Zucker.

Matt was welcomed into God's family through Holy Baptism at Peace Lutheran Church by Pastor F. Delmar Klover on Nov. 23, 1980. His sponsors were Aunt Jane Bartling, Uncle Fred Hofts, and Great Uncles Alfred and Lewis Hofts, two bachelors whom Matthew viewed as his pseudo grandpas. May 7, 1995, Matt was confirmed in his faith at Peace Lutheran by Pastor Harold Laursen. His Bible verse was John 14:15. He died on Tuesday, Dec. 12, 2023, at the age of 43 years, one month, and 18 days.

Matt attended Deshler Public School from kindergarten to graduation. He was privileged to be taught by his Aunt Ardythe in fifth grade and his mom in high school Spanish. His dad was kept informed of his misdeeds because he was on the school board. Despite being born with a club foot, Matt never let that define his abilities. Following excellent orthopedic care, Matt went on to excel in sports through junior and senior high school-football, basketball and track-earning All-Conference titles and recognition, trips to playoffs, as well as state.

During his high school years, Matt was selected to attend Cornhusker Boys State, inducted into National Honor Society, and became an Eagle Scout on Aug. 6, 1999, under the guidance of Scoutmaster Glenn Bartling. Matt graduated with honors from Deshler High School on May 15, 1999.

Growing up on a farm between Deshler and Ruskin is where Matt developed his hard-working ethic and problem-solving abilities. Some of those problems included helping Dad deliver a calf, driving a tractor cultivating crops, and the dreaded job of rouging weeds. Matt recalled at his first job interview at TELCOR that the company liked to hire farm youth because of their work ethic and sense of responsibility. As much as he enjoyed farm life, his allergies to crop dust and pollen took him to a different career path. He was happy to leave Mom and Dad with the chores to head off to college.

Matt attended Doane College receiving his bachelor of arts in computer science degree in May of 2003. Interning at Sandhills Publishing in Lincoln during his senior year turned into a full-time job in IT work for the next seven years. Dec. 7, fourteen years ago, Matt joined TELCOR, a lab billing solutions company providing healthcare software and service, starting as a programmer and working his way up through extended education to vice president of software development. Matt loved his work and considered TELCOR coworkers his Lincoln family.

Matt was known for his ability to create software programs, to fix software problems, and to mentor fellow coworkers. He was the "go-to" man at TELCOR, fondly called "The Fixer." His bright smile, friendliness, wry sense of humor, dependability, work ethic, and ability to problem solve were his gifts. He was a loving, devoted son and friend. Weight-lifting and video games were favorite past times. A daily hour on the tread mill was not only to relieve stress, but to get rid of candy calories.

Matt is preceded in death by his grandparents: John and Fern Hofts, and John and Joyce Zucker; and his great uncles: Alfred and Lewis.

Matt is survived by his parents: Stanley and Mary Jo Hofts of Deshler as well as an abundance of aunts, uncles, cousins, and many friends.

His funeral was held at 2 p.m., Tuesday, Dec. 19, 2023, at the Peace Lutheran Church in Deshler with Pastor Joseph Love officiating. Organist was Julia Pohlmann. Casket bearers were Jeffery Zucker, Timothy Bartling, Michael Zucker, Brandt Weatherl, Andrew Bartling and Preston Meints. Interment was at the St. Paul Lutheran Cemetery in Deshler. A visitation was held from 5 to 8 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 18, at the Ahrendts Funeral Home in Deshler.