Fr. Matt Lanz

fr. matt lanz

Reverend Mathias F. Lanz of Corvallis OR.  Born September 18 1931

Died from complications of Parkinson's Friday evening, April 15 2011.

He is survived by his three sons, John, Thomas and James.

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Guestbook

  1. Eugene OregonTo all of Father Matt’s family, John, Tom, Jim, Jackie, brother and sisters, so sorry to hear of the passing of Father Matt. Matt was a wonderful man who devoted his life to giving and caring for others. He will be missed by his family, friends and all those who knew him. Our thoughts and prayers are always with you, sincerely, Paul R. Lanz and Marina McShane.

  2. Milwaukee WisconsinI wish to express my sympathy to all the family at the death of Fr. Matt. I knew Fr. Matt very well at Sacred Heart School of Theology as I worked in the Formation and Liturgy Dept. Matt came as a permanent deacon so was very active in the liturgical life of the community. Matt was a very gentle, kind, loving and generous person who was a support to many of the students through his years here at SHST. I have several of his special artworks in my room and I think of and pray for Matt daily. I have tried to connect these last years but I knew Matt was ill and so I didn’t expect any response. Blessings to all of his family. He was proud of his children and spoke highly of the entire family. Now Fr. Matt is at peace and we are grateful he is free of his lengthy bout with Parkinsons disease. Peace!
    Sister Roseann Wagner SSSF

  3. Rochester MN
    Matt, we will miss you. Thank you for all the wonderful memories. We know that you are finally at peace and are eternally blessed.
    Your loving sisters, Marge and Jo

  4. Plainview NY I know you are happy in Heaven with our family members who have preceded you. I love and miss you! Ruth

  5. Pelican Rapids MN
    I have very fond memories of Matt. We worked together at WDAY-TV and we spent many hours together at Edgewood Golf Course pursuing a great passtime on the links. He was one the best friends I had at that time. I fully remember our talking about each others lives and life in particular and finding inspiration from him in our times together. He is always in my memory of good times past. God bless Matt.

  6. Rochester Minnesota
    Matt, I appreciate those few times we were able to sit together and talk. You always were thoughtful and compassionate, and though we had some differences on earthly things, we did share a deep spiritual bond – which I continue to treasure. That you will be missed here, I have no doubt, but I know you are experiencing a well deserved and joyful welcome there. See you later, brother-in-law.
    Rob

  7. Rochester MN
    Matt was eleven years older than me and a wonderful big brother to my sisters and me. We played cards, we put together jigsaw puzzles and we played table games. To us he was noted for his many cartoon character voices, his numerous inventions, and his love of music. When we heard the music of him playing his harmonica – we would pause, listen, take a deep relaxing breath, and know that all was right with the world. My earliest memory of Matt is how he comforted me the day my father died. I was just a confused little girl and Matt set aside his own sorrow to console me and give me reassurance. That ability to sooth the troubled with celebration of the good became his hallmark. I will miss you, Matt, but I am happy that you are free from the encumbrance of Parkinson’s and that you are truly home.

  8. Hales Corners WIMatt was a student of mine at Sacred Heart. He was a wonderfully kind, generous and perceptive person a priest trained here that we were very proud of. My heart goes out to his family on this loss. Be assurred of my prayers for all of you. May the memory of all his wonderful deeds and accomplishments live on.
    Shalom,
    Dr. Richard Lux
    Professor Emeritus of Scripture Studies
    Sacred Heart School of Theology

  9. ND We were very blessed to have Father Matt at St. Mary’s Church in Knox. His appointment there might have only been for a short time in his life but he made a big impact while he was there. We will miss him dearly.

  10. Leeds ND
    Fr Matt will be missed greatly. He was a wonderful and compassionate person with a warm and caring smile. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends.

  11. Fargo, ND
    I became a good friend of Matt when we worked together at ND
    SU in the Agicultural Communication Deartment. Matt was our Graphic Artist and I produced Radio and TV programs. Not only did we drink coffee on a regular basis, but I often called on him to produce the vidual aids used on TV. I remember visiting Matt’s home when his children were young. There was an aquarium in the living room with many tropical fish and Matt was there with his boys talking to them about the fish – I was so impressed with his kind, gentle manner as he visited with his children.
    I remember Matt as being very kind, a good listener, loving, friendly and philisophical. We could count on Matt to bring our daily coffee break discussion to a higher more tender caring level. I knew Matt when he decided to become a Deacon, then attended his Installation as a Priest at St. Mary’s and knew he served the Leeds and Minnewaukan Parish. One night I received a phone call from Matt asking if we could have coffee together. It was then that he told me he had Parkinsons and that he was on his way to Corvallis, OR. Matt was one of my very best friends – a super human being. I will always appreciate the time we spent together.

  12. Fargo ND
    I was deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Fr. Matt Lanz when Father Leonard Eckroth, Bowbells, ND
    , telephoned me on 18 April. I have fond memories knowing Matt Lanz when he worked at ND
    SU Extension Services and his fine work with the ND
    SU Newman Center.

  13. Leeds ND
    Fr. Matt Lanz was a wonderful person/pastor. He changed many lives and touched so many people. He was full of compassion, patience and understanding, a wonderful man who walked the earth.

  14. Fergus Falls Minnesota
    Fr. Matt was my Godfather when I came into the Catholic church at the Easter Vigil in 1975. I read the death notice in the Forum on line late last night. I am a changed person because of the life of Fr. Matt Lanz. So many thoughts and things I would like to say but at this point they only come out in waves of tears and that’s OK. He has been on my mind alot lately but wasnt sure how to get in touch with him. I will always be gratfull for the life of Fr. Matt Lanz.
    Love and prayers,
    Edith Berry

  15. Hi,

    I am Mary Katherine. In Corvallis, father Matt was first a friend, then a colleague, then a student, but always mystical, and the only mystical priest that I ever knew, with him experiencing genuine miracles, such as Mary trsnsporting him 30 miles or so, in his car, so he would not be late for a meeting, in North Dakota.

    He opted, for being my spiritual director, on a heresy call, that never was. Brilliantly, mystically he handled that, for The Roman Catholic Church and God.

    I wish all priests now were mystical like he was. Padre Pio would have loved him, Padre who met very few priests if any, who were like him or the way priests should be with God.

  16. Jim Savaloja,Leeds, ND

    Fr Matt became on of my best friends when we had to leave Churchs Ferry, and move away from the rising waters of Devils Lake during the big flood when the residents had to move in 1999-2000. He was president of the Leeds Golf Club, and instrumental in our purchase of an old farmstead, owned by the golf club, on the east side of the course. He even came out to help set the rafters on the garage of the new home we had erected there. At that time he was president of the Golf Club, and one of the most enjoyed and respected members of the community. He loved his time on a golf course too. Not many knew he was also a great artist, and we have one of his winter scenes in our home as a constant reminder of his great friendship and spiritual leadership. Matt left us way to soon, but he will never be forgotten by those of us who were lucky enough to have him in our circle of life. We were indeed Blessed!


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