Matthew Douglas Hjelm

Matthew Douglas Hjelm, age 53, passed away on Friday, February 6th, 2026, at his residence. A visitation will be held from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM on Sunday, February 15th, 2026, at Roy-Hetland Funeral Home.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to the family and will be donated to a charity in memory of Matt.

Matthew Douglas Hjelm, born on November 7, 1972, to Douglas and Julie Hjelm, passed away unexpectedly at his residence on Friday, February 6, 2026, at the age of 53.

Throughout his adult life, Matt wore many hats and was known as a jack of all trades. He began his working years by taking over the family dairy sales business. Over time, he found his true niche in carpentry and construction, a field in which he spent most of his life. Matt took great pride in his work and was known for his practical skills and his ability to fix just about anything.

Matt had a deep love and appreciation for the outdoors, a passion inspired by growing up on the shores of Lake Osakis. Nature was where he felt most at peace and could turn off the noise of the world. He especially loved working with his hunting dogs and rarely missed an opportunity to chase after ducks and geese each season. Deer hunting was his greatest hunting passion, and it became a long-standing family rivalry to see who could harvest the biggest buck. Many years, thanks to his patience and perseverance, Matt proudly earned the bragging rights.

In addition to hunting, Matt loved fishing and spent countless hours traveling the waters of Minnesota and the Dakotas. Some of his most cherished memories were made during ice fishing trips, particularly the annual winter outings on “Big Winnie,” which he looked forward to every year. Whether on land or water, Matt was happiest when surrounded by nature, family and friends, and good stories to tell at the end of the day.

Matt will be remembered for his hardworking nature, his love of the outdoors, and the many, many memories he created with those who were fortunate enough to know and love him. His presence will be deeply missed, but his legacy will live on in the lives he touched and the traditions he cherished.

Matt is survived by his mother, Julie (Clayton Mielke) Hjelm of Kensington; his sister, Carrie (Jason) Mounsdon of Osakis; his brother, Adam (Justin Ross) Hjelm of Richfield; his nephew, Riley Mounsdon; and his niece, Averie Mounsdon. He is also survived by many loving aunts and cousins.

He was preceded in death by his father, Douglas Hjelm; and his grandparents, Lee and Adeline Gray, and Morris and Rae Hjelm.