Matt Frantz - Firefighter - Minnesota

Fire Chief Matt Frantz, age 42, died on December 9, 2013, in Duluth, Minnesota.

Matt was the Fire Chief for the Rice Lake Township Volunteer Fire Department. He had 13 years of service.

His death is recognized as a line of duty death as he passed away from a heart attack within 24 hours of attending an emergency call.

Comrades describe Matt as being passionate and dedicated in his service to the Rice Lake Fire Department.

Matt was born in St. Paul and grew up in the Woodland neighborhood. Matt graduated

Florian, Patron Saint of
Firefighters, pray for Matt

from Duluth Central High School in 1989 and from Lake Superior College in Duluth in 1996 with a degree in fire technology and administration.

He served in the U.S. Army from 1991-93, during which time he served abroad in Korea. After that he was a reservist in the Army National Guard until 1998, when he achieved the rank of Sergeant.

Matt was hired as a driver for UPS in 1994, and worked there until his death.

In 2000, Matt joined the Rice Lake Volunteer Fire Department and was named fire chief in 2009.

Matt loved the outdoors and fishing, hunting and camping. He also loved family get togethers.

Matt is survived by many loving friends and relatives including his mother, Linda Quade; his father Tim Frantz; his siblings; his wife, Jennifer; and daughters Kirsten and Madeline.

Thank you for serving, Matt.

Pray for all who die in the line of duty.

Pray that Matt is in heaven. Pray that he is at peace and is with God. Amen.