Abts, Matthew Russell Passed away peacefully at home in Minneapolis on Friday, May 22 of esophageal cancer. His wife Nancy was at his side. Matthew's love of a good story and his appreciation of people are reflected in his wide range of life experiences. Matthew was born on March 13, 1979 in Minneapolis to Thomas and Martha (Childs) Abts and grew up in Rochester, Minnesota, where he developed a lifelong interest in computer programming, gaming and music. After leaving high school he spent time backpacking extensively in Europe. After gaining his GED, Matthew joined the US Air Force as an Intelligence Analyst in 2000, specializing in Mandarin Chinese at the Defense Language Institute in Monterey. He held the highest possible Defense Language Proficiency Test rating throughout his service. Matthew left the Air Force in 2004. He then became a researcher for the FBI and completed additional studies in electrical engineering, finance and criminal justice. He started and sold a private investigator firm in Denver Colorado; became a licensed long distance truck driver; became an EMT in Maine while learning to sail; and participated in professional poker playing tournaments. He eventually joined the Audit Bureau of Circulations (now the Alliance for Audited Media) and spent several years auditing circulation data for major US newspapers. Matthew entered the Lewis & Clark Law School in Portland, Oregon in 2009 and received his Juris Doctorate in 2011. In 2010 Matthew was invited to become a member of the Lewis & Clark Environmental Law Review and held a summer externship with an international arbitration firm in Beijing. Matthew passed the Oregon Bar in 2011, joined the Oregon Trial Lawyers Association and set up a small private practice. He also qualified as a CPA in 2014. While serving as an AmeriCorps member at a domestic shelter in southern Oregon, Matthew met the love of his life, Nancy Smebak, another AmeriCorps member. Matthew relocated to Champagne-Urbana, Illinois with Nancy while she completed graduate school. After Nancy's graduation, they moved to Minneapolis where Matthew went to work for the IRS and Nancy began her career as a City Planner. Matthew and Nancy were married in January 2016. Their daughter Helena was born in May 2018. Matthew is survived by Nancy and Helena; his parents, Tom and Marti Abts (Rochester, MN) his sister, Amy Abts (Rochester, MN) and his sister, Jennifer Vail-Abts (spouse Amanda Vail-Abts; Seattle, Washington). A virtual memorial service will be held on Friday, May 29 at 3:30 PM. Condulences: simpletraditions.com. Matthew asked that no floral arrangements be sent. Memorials may be made to the charity of your choice or directed to the family. Simple Traditions by Bradshaw 651-767-9333