Matthew Anthony Korn

Some hearts know no bounds. Matthew Anthony Korn, who left us Monday, December 18th, had one of the kindest, most adventurous hearts that ever existed.

The middle of 11 children born to Edward and Joan Korn, Matt was raised in Santa Maria, California. At 18 years of age, he moved to Idaho, where he met his future wife, Chris Kuehnert.

Together they raised three children, Spencer, Melisa, and Justin. For several decades, he worked as a sheet metal worker in Idaho and Washington, eventually settling in Tekoa in his later years.

Matt's generosity was legendary, frequently going out of his way to do small kindnesses for strangers, friends, and family alike. Finding beauty in nature's often overlooked substrates - leaves, rocks, and tree stumps, Matt would fashion everything from trinkets and talismans to sculptures and fountains, purely for the pleasure of sharing his creations with those around him.

One of Matt's most endearing qualities was his childlike wonder in the beauty that surrounded him. An avid hiker and backpacker, he knew the woods, rivers, lakes, and mountains as friends who shared their bounty with him. The capacity to love in the way Matt did, with full abandon, also brought with it a sensitivity to the world he lived in, and all its difficulties.

Ultimately, the pain of this world proved too much to handle, and Matt chose to release himself from it. To say he will be missed is an understatement. Every hike, huckleberry, and every bit of unearthly beauty in this world will remind of us of him daily.

A memorial service will be held on June 17, 12 p.m., at McCroskey Stae Park, under the covered shelter.

Kramer Funeral Home of Palouse, Washington is caring for the family. Online condolences may be left at http://www.kramercares.com