Matthew R. Shaffer

Services have been entrusted to the Brenny Funeral Home in Staples.

Matthew Robert Shaffer was born Sept. 17, 1981, to Robert Dolen and Kathleen (Petron) Shaffer in Staples, Minn. He attended Sacred Heart Catholic School and graduated with honors from Staples-Motley High School in 2000. He attended the University of St. Thomas, graduating with honors in 2003 with a bachelor of arts degree in both Spanish and philosophy.

Matt enjoyed music, theater, public speaking, reading, snowboarding and hunting. His greatest joy was his family.

He is survived by his parents; one brother, Ephrem; four sisters, Mary, Bernadette and Gemma, all of Staples, and Nicolle, of Seattle; his maternal grandparents, Dick and Terri Petron, of Long Prairie; seven uncles; four aunts; and 24 cousins. He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Robert and Olga Shaffer.