Matthew Austin "the Jet" Lawrence"Wanbdi Ta'kota" "Eagles Friend", 31, of Leeds, ND passed away Friday, July 31, 2020 at the CHI St. Alexius Health Devils Lake Hospital. Visitation will be held from 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM with Rosary to follow Wednesday, August 5, 2020 at the Leeds Lutheran Church. A Celebration of Life will take place at 11:00 AM Thursday, August 6, 2020 at Jan's RV Park & Lodge in Leeds, ND with Pastor Jeff Kapelle officiating.

Active Pallbearers: Brady "Big Earl" Anderson, Jason "Shippy" Vallier, Jay " The Bird" Anderson, Brett "Kennerdy" Kenner, James "Jim Tom" Toal, Michael "Petee" Peterson, Josh "Fluff" Elverud, Dan "The Man" Corum, Joel "Stanley two trees" Cavanaugh, Dakota "Sando" McKay. Honorary Pallbearers: Trevor Torgerson, Michael Torgerson, Dylan Torgerson, Preston Scott, Paco De La Paz, Dakota Gillespie, Taylor Ritterman, Keith Bowman, Kyle, Doug, Sammy, and Joseph (Marnie) Lawrence, Kenny Baker, Jr., Johnna GoodIron, Elisha and (Mitchell) Poulson, Chris McCloud, Lacey McKay, LaRissa McKay, Lonnie Downey, Jodi (Jared) Secret, Curt and Justin Broden, Champ Delorme, Kenton (Amie) DeMontigny, Patrick Burris, Jessica Hjelden, Cooper Longie, Dustin Paulson, Jason Tracy, John Lunde, Jayson Duciaume, Justin Studaker, Kody Dalby, Bryan Wilhelmi, Devin Bercier, German Valido, Jeff Rude, Reniar Diaz, Antone Eback Jr., Andy Bo, Dylan StClair, Dan Harkness, Casey Harkness, Reid Haagenson, Harry Booth, Tyson Holybull, Nik Severson, Jesse Deseth, Shawn Zinke, Chris Tofsrud, Colleen (Gary Thumb) Chaske, Lisa (Tim Craft) Chaske, Debbie and Tony LaVallie, Joleen and Waylen St Clair, Melissa LaCroix, Racheal Harlen, Melanie McKelvee, Craig Estenson, Mary Hoffner, Cindy (Dan) Gronos, Kaycee Gronos, Debbie (Clayton) Peltier, Linda (Raymond) Peltier, Lori (Ermen) Brown, Roberta (Kirk) Sweeney, Ambrose (Rochellle) Lawrence, Jr., Debbie (Dave) Cavanaugh, Anna Rose Flanagon, Diane (Jerry) Huwe, Tammy Lawrence and Dale Fitzke, Paul (Robin) Lawrence, Harry Booth, JS Vending Crew, Prairie Transportation Crew, Cory Lawrence, Kayla Lawrence, Melissa Lawrence, Crista Lawrence, Courtney Lawrence and Marissa Redbox.

Memorials in Matthew's name are preferred to his family, PO Box 171, Leeds, ND 58346.

Due to Covid-19, the following CDC recommendations are highly encouraged: social distancing, hand cleansing and sanitization, and wearing masks. Please stay home if you are not feeling well or have been in contact with someone who has tested positive for Covid-19.

Matthew Austin "the Jet" Lawrence was born on May 1, 1989 in Devils Lake, North Dakota son of Gerald "Pat" Lawrence and Wendy (Hjelden) Lawrence. He lived in St. Michaels for short while before moving to Leeds, ND. He grew up and attended school in Leeds, ND. In 2007, he graduated from Leeds High School. He worked at JS Vending, Back 40 Bar, UTLX, Golden Plains Frozen Foods, and Prairie Transportation. When he passed, he was living in Leeds with his significant other April Peterson.

Matthew loved being surrounded by family and friends. He enjoyed many hobbies, such as; golf, darts, cornhole, poker, fishing, hunting, and cheering on his beloved football team, the Minnesota Vikings. Matthew loved to sing, he would captivate the room when he would take the mic and pour his heart and soul out the crowd.  Matthew had an infectious smile and personality. He loved to tease and goof around with family and friends. He was also a prankster; anybody that spent any amount of time with Matthew was more than likely a victim of ones of his pranks. Many of his close friends and family members were often given nicknames from Matthew, some that were loved others that were not as appreciated.

Matthew adored his brothers and sister; he was always their number one supporter in whatever they did. He loved to share stories about all of their achievements and reminisce about their childhood memories. He also adored his nieces and loved being recognized by the name "Uncle Buck" from his favorite movie Uncle Buck. Some of his other favorite movies and shows included, The Sandlot, The Lion King, The Fox and The Hound, the TV show Friends, and Saturday Night Live.

In his final months he was the happiest he had ever been because he was finally with the love of his life, April Peterson. She made his life complete and he was so excited to spend the rest of his life with her, which he did.

Survived by: daughter, Kayla Blomquist; parents Pat and Wendy Lawrence; Brother Marcus (Rose) Lawrence, Riley (Jenna) Lawrence; sister Callie Lawrence; significant other April Peterson; maternal grandparents Pat and Lloyd Hjelden and paternal grandfather Josie (Clariece) Lawrence Sr.; great aunts, Barbra (Al) Solberg, Marlene Petri, Mary McKay, Rita Belgarde, Marlene (John) Davis, Berneeda (Greg) Lonetree, Caroline Martin Chavez; Great Uncles: Vern (Marge) Hjelden, Ron (June) Hjelden, Pete (Harlene) Davis; Aunts: Cheryl Lawrence, Alma Goodiron, Kathy(Charles) Schwols, Pamela (Ricky) Ross; Uncles: Douglas Hjelden, Darrell Lawrence, Joseph (Jeanette) Lawrence, Jr., Brian Elverud; Nieces: Alexis, Addison, and Emilia Lawrence.

He is preceded in death by: Grandma, Viola Lawrence; Aunts, Kellie Elverud, Carol Ann Lawrence; Uncles, David (Davie) Lawrence, John GoodIron and Virgil McKay; good friend, RJ Darling.

We would like to send out a special thank you to the Leeds Ambulance Crew and the CHI St. Alexis emergency staff for working diligently to prolong Matthew's life and comforting his loved ones.  We are grateful for all of those who donated and have reached out Matthew's family during this difficult time.