Matthew Jay Cottrell

 Matthew Jay Cottrell, 62, of Dubuque, completed his earthly journey and passed away peacefully, surrounded by his loving family on Thursday, December 19th, 2019 in his home.

 To honor Matthew’s life, a celebration of life will be held at 3:30 p.m. Saturday, February 22, 2020 at Leonard Funeral Home & Crematory, 2595 Rockdale Road. Family and friends may visit from 1:00 p.m. until time of service at 3:30 p.m.

 Matthew was born July 31st, 1957 in Dubuque, the son of John William Cottrell and June Elaine (Bateman) Cottrell. He graduated from Hempstead High School in 1975 and then went on to complete two years at Marshall Town Community College to become a machinist. Matthew then married the love of his life Jeanne (Hagerty) on April 21st, 1979. They were blessed with two children and 40 years of marriage and made so many wonderful memories together. Matthew was employed at Bodine Electric Company for over 24 years and retired from there in 2016.

Matthew’s family was very important to him, he was an incredibly loving and devoted husband, father, and Papa. He loved spending time with his two children Mandy and Casey and his seven grandchildren Kaylee, Matthew, Lily, Juli, Anna, Olivia, and Benjamin.  Matthew was incredibly proud of all his grandkids and considered each one of them to be his greatest blessing, and loved attending all the grandkids many sporting events, musicals and plays.

While Matthew still had his health, he loved spending time outdoors, hiking, fishing with his grandkids, morel mushroom hunting, and taking trips to the ocean. Matthew enjoyed being apart of a large family, he was the baby of ten brothers and sisters. He had a very special bond with all of them especially his sisters who always took such good care of him. He loved taking vacations with his siblings and his nieces and nephews and participating in the dragon boat races as a family and taking family camping trips, and all the holidays spent together.

 For the past 5 years, Matthew fought courageously through a heart attack, stroke, lung cancer, and Emphysema. He never complained even when each breath got harder and harder and he could no longer do the things he loved. He found new ways to enjoy his life and could often be found sitting on his porch watching the wildlife in the yard or sitting at his favorite spot at the table by the window watching music and cooking videos and YouTube videos about wild animals and then sharing all his newly found interesting facts with his Grandkids.   

 Matthew is survived by his wife Jeanne (Hagerty) Cottrell, his daughter Mandy (Jason) Charley, his son, Casey (Joanna) Cottrell; grandchildren Kaylee Sanders, Matthew Sanders, Lily Hackbarth, Julian Charley, Anna Kearley, Olivia Cottrell, and Benjamin Cottrell. His siblings: Gary Cottrell, John “Jackie” Cottrell, Bruce (Nora) Cottrell, Mark (Mary Jo) Cottrell, Karen Gabrielson, Cheryl (Henry) Husemann, Candace “Candy” Carlson, Kimberly (Bob) Ender, and his many nieces and nephews.

Matthew was preceded in his death by his parents John and June Cottrell, sister Robin Maiden, Brother David (in infancy), Sister-in-laws Shirley (Gary) Cottrell and Shirley (Jackie) Cottrell, Brother-in-law Lee (Candy) Carlson and Paul (Karen) Gabrielson, and Nephew Michael DeMuth and Niece Naomi Witter.

Matthew’s family would like to thank Dr. Caceres, and Dr. Janes of Medical Associates, Mercy One Medical Center and Hospice of Dubuque for all the outstanding care, kindness and compassion.   

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