Matthew Heeren, 35 of rural Akron, passed away from an ATV accident on Sunday, August 23, 2020.

A Memorial Service will be held at 1:00 p.m., Tuesday, September 1, 2020 at Union Creek Lutheran Church. Due to social distancing guidelines, the service will be held outside and behind the church. Seating will be limited, please bring a lawn chair for the service. Casual attire preferred. Visitation with the family present will begin at 3:00 p.m., with a prayer service at 7:00 p.m., on Monday, August 31, 2020 at the church. The visitation will also be held outside of the church to follow social distancing guidelines. Arrangements are with the Rexwinkel Funeral Home of Akron. Expressions of sympathy may be expressed to the family through www.rexwinkelfh.com .

Matthew Steven Heeren was born April 4, 1985 in Akron, Iowa to Steve and Lillian (Taylor) Heeren. He was raised in West Akron, Union County, South Dakota. He attended school in Akron, and graduated from Akron Westfield High School in 2003. In middle school, Matt picked up a pair of drumsticks and never put them back down. In high school, he played in a garage band called 'Rounding 3rd' with some of his best friends. Soon after, another band formed called 'By Any Other Name' and they played at Matt's senior prom. Matt began farming with his dad at a young age, and this led into a lifetime career in dairy farming. He spent a few years working for Select Sires Inc, primarily in Sioux County, but during that time still remained involved in the family farm.  At the time of his passing he was owner and operator of HL 7, Inc. Matt was currently a board member for Dairy Farmers of America, and would attend their meetings in Kansas City, MO.

Matt was extremely passionate about conservation efforts on their farmland. He was working closely with NRCS (National Resource Conservation Service) to improve the land and meet conservation requirements. He enjoyed planting trees, watching independent films, listening & creating music, reading books, teaching the younger generations everything he knew, camping, hiking, & cooking for his friends and family.

Matt is survived by his mother, Lillian Heeren; siblings: Derek (Deana) Heeren and their children, Taylor, Dakota, Lakin, and Zoe; Heather Heeren and her daughter Adalai plus bonus daughter Kora Davies; Jessica (Darren) Jacobson and their children Cooper, Berklie, and Karston; Lindsay (Alex) Langel and their daughter Stevie; Kelsey (Jesse) Voegeli and their children Landon, Tuff, and Wylde; and Ethan Heeren; aunts and uncles: Charylene (Gary) Banks, Jeanne Parks, Nancy Nystrup, Marjane Taylor, Robin (Deb) Heeren, Janet (Grayling) Willer, and Mark (Michelle) Heeren; and numerous cousins and other extended relatives.

Matt is preceded in death by his father, Steve Heeren; his paternal grandparents, Raymond and June Heeren; maternal grandparents, Daryl and Julia Taylor; and uncles: Jerry Parks and Chris Nystrup.