Matthew Leimbek

life story

Father, brother, friend, hockey-star & Soulmate

“Celebrate we will, because life is short but sweet for certain”~ Dave Matthews

Everyone Loved Matt

Matthew Joseph Leimbek, age 45, of Maple Grove, MN, passed away suddenly from cardiac arrest on February 26, 2025. Born in Austin, MN, to Richard Jr. and Mary Jo Leimbek, Matthew’s life was one of passion, dedication, and love for his family.

Matt was a remarkable athlete who dominated on the ice from a young age. He broke records at Rochester Mayo High School and all over Minnesota. Today, he’s still ranked 33rd as the All Time Scoring leader in the state of Minnesota with 224 points. He earned a college scholarship to the University of Minnesota and a degree in Sports Management. He was a proud member of the hockey community at the U of M and the OsseoMaple Grove Hockey Association. He cherished the camaraderie it brought him. He poured his heart into supporting his children in their endeavors by spending countless hours coaching and mentoring. Matt’s love for sports extended beyond the rink to a lifelong passion for all things Minnesota sports. Whether playing golf, cheering on his favorite teams, or just enjoying a day on the water fishing, he brought energy and a movie line or two, to everything he did.

In 2002, Matt married the love of his life, Melissa. Including dating, they were together 28 years, over half of their lives.Together, they raised two wonderful sons, Nathan (17) and Nicholas (14). He enjoyed countless moments of happiness, from beach vacations, cabin trips, athletic events, playing Kings Corner to memorable Vegas trips and tailgates with his best friend and brother, Shawn. Family was everything to Matt, and his love for them was unwavering.

Matt worked in healthcare for 15 years. He excelled at everything he did, and everywhere he went he made a friend; everyone liked Matt. Matt was known for not only being a hockey star, but for his love of music. He played it loud and unapologetically, filling his home, cabins, cars and life, with the sounds he loved.

Matt leaves behind his wife, Melissa; sons, Nathan and Nicholas; parents, Richard Jr. and Mary Jo Leimbek; his beloved brother Shawn(Gretchen) and a big extended family. His legacy will live on through the memories of his infectious energy, his zest for life, and his deep love for those he held dear.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to a GoFundMe account set up to support the college fund for Matt’s sons, Nathan and Nicholas. The link for donations can be found at https://gofund.me/37ed6ff7. Your generosity is greatly appreciated as it helps honor Matt’s legacy and ensure his children's future.

memorial service

Funeral & Celebration of Life

March 9, 2025

Leopold's Mississippi Gardens 9500 W River Rd, Minneapolis, MN 55444, USA

Sunday, March 9

Leopolds Mississippi Event Ctr.

Funeral 1:00 pm-2:00pm

Celebration of Life:2:00-4:00pm

Open House Style

Please join us to share stories, see family and friends while enjoying light refreshments.