Matthew J. Hohenstein

Matthew John Hohenstein, age 50, of Nicollet, Minnesota, died unexpectedly on Thursday, July 30, 2026, in Blue Earth County. Funeral services will be held at St. Matthew’s Catholic Church in Vernon Center on Monday, August 17, 2026. Visitation will be from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m., with the funeral service to follow. Burial with military honors will take place at Vernon Center Public Cemetery. A luncheon will follow in the church social hall.

Matt was born on December 11, 1975, to Alan Hohenstein and Jane Engel. He grew up primarily in Owatonna and the surrounding area and graduated from high school in 1995. Following graduation, he enlisted in the United States Navy and served honorably from November 1995 to October 1998. He later earned a degree in Diesel Mechanics and Heavy Equipment from Texas State Technical College and a degree in HVAC/R from South Central College of North Mankato.

Matt married Heather Barfield on March 6, 1997 (now divorced), and together they had two children, Madelyn and Grant. Over the years, Matt made his home at different times in both Texas and Minnesota, ultimately returning to Minnesota. He built a successful career doing the kind of work that came naturally to him - working with his hands, solving problems, and understanding how things worked. He worked in both diesel mechanics and HVAC and was most recently employed by Hislop Diesel Repair in Easton, Minnesota.

Of all the things in Matt’s life, nothing was more important to him than his children. Madelyn and Grant meant the world to him, and he was happiest when he was spending time with them. He and his children shared a love of four-wheeling, countless hours working on cars, and many adventures.

For Matt, those moments were about much more than engines or machines. They were time spent side by side with the two people he loved most. He was a devoted and deeply loving father, and his pride in his children was unmistakable.

Matt had a lifelong love of anything with an engine. He loved four-wheeling, dirt biking, snowmobiling, working on engines, going fast, and building classic cars. If it had a motor, needed fixing, or could be made to go a little faster, chances were it had Matt’s attention. He also loved music and spending time at the lake with his family.

Matt was also a great storyteller and could happily spend hours sitting around talking and joking with family and friends. He had a gift for finding humor in the small, ordinary moments that most people might overlook. He noticed the funny little details of everyday life and had a way of turning them into stories that made the people around him laugh. Time spent with Matt was often filled with conversation, stories, and laughter, and those memories will be treasured by the people who loved him.

Matt was deeply loved by his family and friends. He will be remembered for his humor and stories, his love of engines and adventure, and, above all, for the tremendous love he had for his children.

Matt is survived by his daughter, Madelyn (Anthony) Weber; his son, Grant Hohenstein; his mother, Jane Engel; his stepmother, BettyJane Hohenstein; his sister, Gretchen Hohenstein; his half-sister Julie Brown, his half-brother, Jeff Hohenstein; several nieces and nephews; and many other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his father, Alan Hohenstein, and his brother, Dan Hohenstein.