Obituary of Matthew John Gaul

WORTHINGTON, IOWA

On Tuesday evening, May 9, 2017, our son, Matthew J. Gaul, 30 of Cedar Rapids, Iowa and formerly of Worthington, passed away suddenly after struggling with Autism for 30 years.

Visitation will be held from 3 – 8 p.m. Thursday, May 18, 2017, at Kramer Funeral Home, 750 12th Ave SW in Dyersville where a parish vigil service will be held at 6 pm.  Visitation will continue Friday from 8:30 – 9:30 am at Kramer Funeral Home prior to funeral services.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:00 a.m. Friday, May 19, 2017, in St. Paul Catholic Church, Worthington, Iowa with burial in the church cemetery.  Rev. Dennis Quint will officiate.

Matt was born July 4, 1986, in Dubuque, Iowa the son of Patrick and Nancy (Kelly) Gaul.  He was diagnosed at a very young age with Autism, but attended the Early Childhood Development Center in Epworth and earned his High School Diploma from Clayton Ridge High School in Guttenberg.  Some of the things that gave Matt great joy were taking rides in the van, going for walks and having a good meal.  Matt was always so full of life and had a passion for the outdoors and, of course, McDonald’s cheeseburgers.  As hard as this loss is, we are grateful that his struggles are over and he can be at peace.  We are immensely thankful for all of those that have provided love and support to our family during this very difficult time.  We hope Matt has finally found the peace and serenity he truly deserves.  Matt will be greeted at the gates of Heaven by his Grandma’s: Evey Gaul and Faith Kelly.

Survivors include his parents, Pat and Nancy of Worthington, two sisters: Melissa (Mike) Salow of Minneapolis, MN, and Elizabeth Gaul of Worthington; aunts & uncles: Cathy (Kraig) Leuthard of Eden Prairie, MN, Paul (Connie) Kelly of Brentwood, CA, Julie (Bruce) Berstler of East Dubuque, IL, Brian (Julie) Kelly of Phoeniz, AZ, Nancy (Jim) Stock and Tom (Kate) Gaul, both of Dubuque, Dave (Leanne) Gaul of Monticello, IA, Dan Gaul of Covington, LA; and many cousins.

He was preceded in death by his maternal grandparents, Robert and Faith Kelly, paternal grandparents, John and Evelyn Gaul, and an aunt, Jane Marie Gaul.

We would like to thank Matt’s caregivers, Tammy Kayokela and Ann Sopousek, and the rest of the staff at REM Services.

Online condolences may be left for the family at www.kramerfuneral.com.