Matthew Yernatich

Matthew John Yernatich, 62, of Duluth passed away at home surrounded by his loving family on Friday, August 27, 2021, three years after being diagnosed with stage 4 cancer.

Matt was born on December 23, 1958, the oldest child of Jack and Margaret Yernatich of Tower, Minnesota.

Matt graduated from Tower Soudan High School and the University of Minnesota Duluth with Bachelor’s Degrees in Secondary Education and Business Administration.

Matt is the owner of Artistic Anglers in Duluth and has been for the past 27 years.  Artistic Anglers is known nationwide as the premier fiberglass fish reproduction and wildlife art studio.

He was united in marriage to his high school sweetheart Yvonne Rooney on June 22, 1985 in Tower, MN and they made their home in Duluth for the past 36 years.

He is preceded in death by his father Jack Yernatich, grandparents John and Agnes Tekautz and Anthony and Ina Yernatich.

Matt is survived by his wife Yvonne and his children Marisa (Jake) Williams of Hermantown, MN, Megan Yernatich of Duluth, and Joseph Yernatich of Duluth; grandchildren Weston, Ella and Beau Williams; niece Morgan Rooney of New York City, NY; nephew Aiden Rooney of Duluth; his mother Margaret Yernatich of Duluth, sister Mary (Paul) Ravnikar of Champlin, MN; brothers Daniel (Crystal) Yernatich of Mt Iron, MN; and David (Sandra) Yernatich of Plymouth, MN; numerous nieces and nephews; his uncle John Tekautz of Tower, MN; his aunt Marlene (Jim) Saretzky of Springfield, VA; his dear friends Jim Mustonen, Ted Pilgrim, Rob Bergquist and many other beloved extended family members and friends.

The family wishes to extend their heartfelt appreciation and gratitude to the oncology and radiology departments at Essentia Health St. Mary’s Medical Center in Duluth for their tremendous care of Matt over the past three years and Essentia Health St. Mary’s Medical Center Hospice for their compassionate care of him over the last few weeks.

Mass of Christian Burial will be 11AM, Wednesday, September 1, 2021, with visitation starting at 9:30AM in St. John’s Catholic Church, 4230 St Johns Ave, Duluth, MN 55803.

Arrangements by Dougherty Funeral Home, 218-727-3555. Please visit www.dfhduluth.com to sign the online guestbook.