Impact of Matt Siddons still felt, even after he is gone

By Ginna Young

His smile was warm and contagious, and the love he had for his family was obvious. Because of his kind nature and fun personality, Cadott resident Matt Siddons was a community favorite.

But, in October 2021, Matt was admitted to the hospital, because of low oxygen saturation, stemming from complications of COVID-19. He was put on a ventilator for a few days, remaining on it for three weeks.

Finally, after those three long weeks of ups and downs, Matt was taken off the ventilator and was a candidate for a lung transplant, since his were damaged. Each day, Matt seemed to gain strength and would soon be back on the job with the Chippewa County Highway Department, and back to serving the community as a member of the Cadott Fire Department.

While Matt waited for his new lungs, he was moved to the University of Minnesota, where he stayed in the CCU. One day, Matt was fine and the next day, his wife, Kayla, got the call to come to the hospital fast, as his organs were shutting down.

Despite the many prayers offered up, Matt did not survive the day, and passed away Dec. 29, 2021, leaving a hole within his family, as well as his and Kayla’s two young children, Kayden, 11, and Madi, 10.

“We thought for sure he was going to go the other way – he was going to make it,” said Angie Kellen, Kayla’s sister.

Although Matt’s suffering is done, the hefty medical bills incurred from his hospital stay are not. Now that Kayla is the only income of the family, a benefit is planned for Saturday, April 2, beginning at 11 a.m., at Halfway Hall in Cadott.

During the event, there will be basket, 50/50, meat and gun (Ruger AR-556 rifle and Glock .43 9mm handgun) raffles, as well as a live auction, with a wide variety of the baskets filled with Scentsy, baby and outdoors items, and ice fishing equipment. There will also be a kayak and gun safe up for grabs, and a charcoal chicken or hot dog meal available for purchase.

“We’re still accepting donations, right up to the day of the benefit,” said Kellen. “The money is going to be a huge blessing to Kayla.”

Those wishing to donate items or contribute monetarily, can contact Kellen at 715-579-5549.

Kellen says people from all over have donated items and money, even from as far away as Ohio, with one person giving a guitar, which he hoped to get signed by Brett Michaels from Poison. Kellen said the prayers, love and support to the Siddons family has been amazing.

“It just really restores a person’s faith that there are still caring and compassionate complete strangers out there, who are willing to help.”