Please click on the video tribute below to watch Matt's funeral service.

Matthew Lee Finney, 50, passed away peacefully on June 24, 2026, at 9:00 a.m. in the beautiful home he built, holding hands with his soulmate, Emily.

Matt was born on November 13, 1975, in Fargo, North Dakota, to Jeffrey Finney of Halstad, Minnesota, and Shelley (Quam) Finney of West Fargo, North Dakota. He grew up in Georgetown and Perley, Minnesota, and graduated from Norman County West in Halstad in 1994.

At age 16, Matt began working for family friend Curt Scherf at Diamond Construction, starting a lifelong career in construction. Through years of hard work, talent, and determination, he became both the brains and brawn of the operation. In 2020, alongside business partner Josh Matti, he proudly purchased the company and renamed it FM Framing.

An outstanding athlete, Matt excelled in football and baseball. Midway through his senior football season, he suggested moving from running back to the offensive line so he could protect his teammates and let someone else carry the ball. The team went on to win nearly all of its remaining games, and Matt probably would have insisted there was a connection.

Matt met Emily in first grade, and their first dance took place in fifth grade when they were paired together to dance the Tennessee Waltz because they were the shortest kids in the class. Years later, when Emily asked Matt to senior prom "as friends," his response was, "Yes, if you come to my baseball game and buy me a case of beer." They married on March 25, 2006, after dating for 12 years.

Together they built a beautiful life and raised two sons, Luke and Mitchell, who were Matt's greatest accomplishment.

Matt was funny, witty, smart, generous, hardworking, and just stubborn enough to keep life interesting. He had a gift for making people laugh, often at someone else's expense, and was famous for saying, "I know a guy," whenever someone needed help. He loved the Minnesota Vikings and Twins, tropical vacations, the lake, Miller Lite, and spending time with family and friends.

Matt is survived by his wife, Emily; sons Luke and Mitchell; parents Jeffrey Finney and Shelley (Chuck Rehovsky) Finney; brother Mark (Michele) Finney; parents-in-law Kim and Tom Hemberger and Gregg and Pam Holte; brothers- and sisters-in-law Kristi (Jeremy) Melting, Cristy (Andy) Francis, Mark Hemberger, Jamie (Amber) Hemberger, Jeremy (Dawn) Paulsrud, Josie Holte (Ryan Ambuehl), Abbie (Craig) Wignes, Nicholas (Lakken) Paulsrud, and Michael (Erin) Holte; along with many beloved nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, cousins, friends, and construction buddies.

He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Milton and Ida "Lorraine" Finney and Bob and Bev Quam; aunt Nancy Finney; and uncle Wayne "Porky" Finney.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to the Tony Sipe Baseball Field Improvement Project.  '

Donations can be sent via Venmo to: Emily-Finney-75

or directly to: Tony Sipe Baseball Field Improvement Project

In honor of Matt, please wear your Vikings gear. If they have disappointed you too many times, anything purple will do.

Funeral Service: 5:00 PM, Thursday, July 2, 2026 at Halstad Lutheran Church, Halstad, MN.

Visitation: One hour before the service at the church.

Interment: Halstad South Cemetery, Halstad, MN.

Please view our guestbook and share condolences online for the family.