Funeral services have been set for Matthew D. Barthel, 33, of Big Lake. The St. Michael-Albertville High School graduate was killed in a three-vehicle accident on U.S. Highway 10 near Big Lake on Wednesday, Feb. 22.
Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, March 4 at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Hanover. Visitation is set for 4 to 8 p.m. Friday, March 3, at Peterson Chapel in St. Michael. Peterson Chapel is assisting with all arrangements, and a full obituary will be made available soon.
Family and friends have set up an account for Matt and his family at First American Bank in St. Michael. They released this statement:
“As friends of Matt Barthel we are deeply sadden by the loss of such a great friend, husband, and father. To help Matt’s wife, Sara and their two young children financially during this difficult time, the friends of Matt have decided to set up a benefit account. The account is set up at First American Bank in Saint Michael and is called ‘Matthew Daniel Barthel benefit’. If you are able to contribute to this fund please feel free to go to the bank or mail a check to First American Bank, 12725 43rd Street NE, Saint Michael, MN 55376. (Donations can also be made directly at the bank).”
A GoFundMe account has also raised thousands for the Barthel family.
Barthel was killed Wednesday when a driver on US 10 sped through a red light at the County Highway 81 intersection in Sherburne County. He died at the scene. The Monticello School District employee worked in the technology department and was referred to as the “voice of the help desk” in a recent piece on Twin Cities television.