About Matthew "Matt" Walsh

It is with tremendous sadness that we announce the passing of Matthew “Matt” John Walsh who died Monday 21st February, 2022 in Sioux Falls, SD, following complications from Covid 19. Born 19th November, 1967, in Ames, Iowa to parents Robert and Sonya, Matt was the fourth of five siblings, and remained fiercely devoted to his family his entire life. Husband of Cherie, devoted son to Sunny, Matt also leaves behind siblings Susan, Mark, and Mike. A fierce competitor, Matt was an All Conference football player at Ames High, but it was during summers spent at the family vacation home on Lake Okoboji that he developed the passion for fishing that would become his life's calling, teaching himself to become one of the best Walleye fishermen in the area with a dedication and patience way beyond his young years, and leaving his old-timer "rivals" foundering in his wake. Matt graduated Ames High with the class of ‘86 before going on to earn a business degree at the University of Iowa. Following a period in various cities, Matt eventually settled on a small lake in Canistota, SD, where he could finally fulfill his dream to pursue his fishing professionally, guiding countless tours as the Walleye Wrangler and securing his reputation as one of the finest Walleye fishermen in the area. Matt Walsh was truly one of a kind, his huge personality and hilarious stories legendary to all who knew him. Unceasingly generous, maddeningly opinionated, and implacably loyal to those he loved, he was a big, brash persona hiding a hugely complicated soul. The notorious Big Daddy to close family, Uncle Matt to the nieces and nephews to whom Matt was utterly devoted and always inordinately proud, Matt was a deeply loved, irreplaceable member of his beloved Walsh "clan". Matt’s death sees him back in the arms of his father, Rob, and his much beloved sister Sheila. He was 54 years old. Donations in Matt’s memory can be made to Alex’s Lemonade Stand to help in the fight against childhood cancer, a cause close to Matt’s heart following his nephew Charlie’s battle with rare brain cancer.