Matthew W. Austin

Matthew W. Austin, 53, longtime resident of Port Wing, WI died unexpectedly on Friday, April 22, 2022, in Poplar, Wisconsin. He was born in Ames, IA, October 19, 1968, the son of Douglas and Denise (Newman) Austin. Graduated from Northwestern High School in 1987.

Matt was united in marriage to Cindy Rhode on September 27, 2013, and they celebrated 8 years of marriage before his passing.

He worked for Frito Lay for 20 years before beginning work at Iron River Hardware for several years then relocating and managing Poplar Hardware for the last five years.

Matt was an avid outdoorsman and loved to hunt and fish and enjoyed his outdoor trips to Canada. He was a Star Wars fan and enjoyed reading, especially Harry Potter and Science Fiction books. He was an avid Packers fan. Matt loved spending time with his family, especially his grandchildren, and enjoyed his time at the family hobby farm in Orienta. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather, brother and friend and will be dearly missed by all.

He is survived by his beloved wife, Cynthia “Cindy” Austin, Port Wing, WI; daughters, Audra (Jared) Blanche, Bayfield, WI, and Rebecca (Brett Buelteman) Austin, Superior, WI; grandson, Braden Matthew Keyes and Parker Blanche; mother, Denise Kovaleski, Lake Nebagamon, WI; sisters, Teresa (Bradley) Fuller, Maple, WI, and Brandie (Andy) Brummer, Independence, MN; brothers, William (Virginia) Kovaleski Jr., South Range, WI, and Bradley (Emma) Kovaleski, of United Kingdom; his brother at heart, Bruce (Sue) Vrooman, and several aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, and extended family and friends.

He is preceded in death by his birth father, Douglas Austin; the father that raised him, William Kovaleski Sr., and his brother, Andrew Kovaleski.

A Celebration of Matt’s Life will be held from 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM on Saturday, April 30, 2022, at the Lenroot-Maetzold Funeral Home, 1209 E. 5 ^th Street in Superior with a Memorial Service to begin at 2:00 PM with Pastor Richard Bouton officiating.

To leave a condolence or sign the guestbook, please visit our website at www.lenroot-maetzold.com .