Matthew Verschelden

Oct 9, 2018 | Obituaries, Obituaries 2018 | 8 comments

Matthew Joseph Verschelden passed away peacefully on October 6, 2018, after a long and courageous battle against brain cancer. Matt is survived by his wife, Cathy Verschelden, his son and daughter-in-law George and Joselyn Verschelden, his grandkids Logan, William, and Charlotte, his daughter Katie Verschelden, and his son Michael Verschelden. Matt leaves behind his mother, Peggy Verschelden, and siblings David Verschelden (Susan), Pat Verschelden, Cia Verschelden, Tim Verschelden (Debi), Mary Pezza (Mike), and Mark Verschelden (Katherine). Matt is preceded in death by his father George Verschelden.

Matt was born October 26, 1956, in Wamego, Kansas and grew up in St. Marys, Kansas. Matt earned his Bachelor of Arts from Kansas State University and his Juris Doctorate from the University of Virginia School of Law. During law school, Matt served as the Executive Editor of the Virginia Law Review. Matt clerked for Chief Judge Clement F. Haynsworth, Jr. of the United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit and then for Associate Justice John Paul Stevens of the United States Supreme Court. Matt and his family moved back to Kansas City after his clerkships, and Matt practiced law at Stinson Leonard Street LLP (originally Stinson, Mag & Fizzell) for over 30 years.

Matt was a litigator who also served as co-chair of the firm’s Appellate Practice Committee. Matt worked on some of the firm’s largest matters over the years, and he was well-known for his thoughtful and intelligent analysis. In 2014, the Kansas City Metropolitan Bar Association awarded Matt with the Robert C. Welch Volunteer Attorney Project Award, an award that is presented annually to attorneys who have demonstrated an exemplary commitment to the delivery of pro bono legal services in the Kansas City community.

Matt was a wonderful husband, dad, grandfather, uncle, friend, and neighbor. He had a well-deserved reputation for kindness and generosity. Throughout his life, Matt was an active member of the St. Agnes Catholic Church community. Matt also enjoyed talking long walks in his neighborhood, doing crossword puzzles, reading, watching Westerns, taking pictures of family and friends (as long as he was not in the picture), watching sports (K-State, the Royals, and the Chiefs), and spending time at his farm outside of Paxico, Kansas. But most of all, Matt enjoyed spending time with his family, and took great pride in his children and grandchildren. He loved taking family vacations to various national parks, and his favorite pastime was attending his children’s and grandchildren’s various activities. Matt had a little competitive streak, so he also enjoyed challenging his family in basketball and whiffle ball games.

A rosary and visitation will be held at St. Agnes Catholic Church, 5250 Mission Road, Roeland Park, KS 66205, from 5:00 pm to 7:30 pm on Thursday, October 11, 2018. The funeral mass will be held at 10:00 am, Friday, October 12, 2018, at St. Agnes Catholic Church. A luncheon will follow at the Carriage Club, 5301 State Line Road, Kansas City, Missouri 64112. The burial will occur at the Mt. Calvary Cemetery, 28100-28788 Mt Calvary Road, St. Marys, Kansas 66536 at 3:30 pm with a reception to follow at the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary Catholic Church, 208 W Bertrand Ave, St. Marys Kansas 66536.

The family would like to express their sincere thanks and gratitude to all the family, friends, and medical professionals who have supported Matt and all of us with such amazing care since he was diagnosed with brain cancer in 2002. A special thank you to Paul Diederich, MD, and Sherry Diederich for going above and beyond in caring for Matt. The family appreciates your prayers, your understanding, and your kindness.

A memorial for Matthew Verschelden has been established at the Kansas State University Foundation. Contributions may be sent to: KSU Foundation, 1800 Kimball Ave., Ste 200, Manhattan, KS 66502. Please indicate it is for fund M47232. To make a gift online, please go to: www.ksufoundation.org/give/memorials. Assistance by Funeral Advocates, LLC.

II Timothy 4:7: “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.”

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Carol Losey

4 years ago

So sorry for your loss. All the Losey’s will keep you in our thoughts and prayers!
Carol

Maxine & Steve Carver

4 years ago

I am so sorry for your loss of Matt. He was always a fun student to know at St. Marys High School. It was a pleasure for me to know him. The entire family will be in my prayers. God bless all of his family.

Jan Mees Grummert

4 years ago

Matt has always been an amazing man with an amazing family…The Good Lord permitting his Dad George will have greeted him as the gates of heaven flew open to welcome him…RIP Matt

Louise Aubert Schutter

4 years ago

Sympathy & prayers. I remember Matt as a kind & smart student.

Rod D Petersen

4 years ago

I was a teacher and and coach at St. Marys for all of Matt’s four years of high school. I had Matt in Earth Science, Biology, and Cross Country. Matt was a great student, very thoughtful, respectful, and attentive. I remember Matt and his siblings fondly. My condolences to Matt’s siblings and Family. Matt’s passing is a tremendous loss. Rod Petersen

Janelle and Gene Lazzo

4 years ago

We have felt privileged to spend part of Matt’s last months with him at Mass at St.Agnes, and always joined with him and rest of you in your intentions. He was an admirable man and a valiant fighter. We are with you in your loss. May God be with you, too.

Robert Schwartz

4 years ago

I just learned of Matt’s death in an email sent to members of the U.Va. School of Law Class of 1980. I’m really heartbroken to learn that one of the kindest, sweetest, most loving and gentle people I know won’t be at our next reunion and will no longer be able to grace the lives of all who knew him and loved him. I think we lawyers all love lawyer jokes, which get their laughs from the worst stereotypes in our profession, and I think we love them because we all think they don’t represent us personally, but if there was ever someone about whom it could be said that he did credit to our profession, someone for whom it was the calling it is for many of us and not just a way to make a living, that person was Matt Verschelden. If there’s a world to come, I hope to see him there. — elmo

Jim Green

4 years ago

Reply to Robert Schwartz

Elmo, This is well said!

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