Matthew Francis Windheuser
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Honoring the Life of Matthew Francis Windheuser
It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Matthew Francis Windheuser who entered heaven on February 1, 2025 at the age of 35 at his residence in Topeka, Kansas. Matthew was born on March 3, 1989 in Overland Park, Kansas to Heather J. (Sharp) and Michael G. Windheuser who reside in Lawrence, Kansas.
Survivors include Parents: Michael and Heather; Sisters: Lydia (Kyle) White, Laura (Lars) Nordgren; Brother: Andrew (Raeleigh) Windheuser; Niece: Courtney White, Nephew: Caleb White. Girlfriend: Jessica Thompson
After living with his family in New Jersey, Texas, and Ohio, Matthew spent most of his childhood in Lawrence Kansas, attending Lawrence Bible Chapel, and graduating from Lawrence High School in 2007. Matthew enjoyed participating in baseball, football, and wrestling in junior high, but his passion was singing. He first sang with the Canton Children’s Choir in Ohio and his love of singing was developed by the Lawrence Children’s Choir. He was proud to sing with LCC at Carnegie Hall in the early 2000s. He sang throughout high school with the LHS Choral, performed with the Kansas State Honor Choir, and with the Emmaus Bible College choir.
He had a love for theater, performing in Hello Dolly and The Laramie Project at Lawrence High School and Les Miserables at the Lawrence Arts Center. He also performed in a Black Box Theater production at the University of Kansas.
Matthew attended Emmaus Bible College in Dubuque, Iowa, and then lived in Marshfield, Wisconsin. He pursued a degree in military history at the University of Kansas and Liberty University. His avid interest in history, politics, and military history led him to run for Kansas State Senate in 2012 and to enjoy trips to historical sites in France, Israel, Germany, and most recently Hungary.
Matthew found happiness with Jessica Thompson of Lawrence and her two boys. They were the light of his life.
The funeral service for Matthew will be held on Saturday, February 15, 2025 at 11:00 a.m. at Warren-McElwain Mortuary, 120 W 13th Street, Lawrence, KS 66044. The family invites friends and loved ones to join them in honoring Matthew’s life.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Lawrence Children’s Choir, an organization that was close to Matthew’s heart. https://lawrencechildrenschoir.org/support
For more information or to post a condolence go to warrenmcelwain.com.
My love to you dear Heather and to Michael and your family. My heart is for you. I pray for you often. I See you in this place. I See you. And I am for you. And He sees you and is for you.
Jesus wept.
So very sorry for your loss. Didn’t know your son, but losing a child is devastating. I am a friend of Jessie’s.RIP Matt.
Matt was an all around good person and friend! We didn’t live to far from each other when my family moved out into that area in 6th grade. We rode the same bus for years and always had his back! We had a lot of the same friends and passions. I was in the Lawrence Children’s Honor choir with him and Graduated with him in 2007. Matt was the type of person to try to help anyone he could, he was smart, kind and very devoted to anything he put his mind to. He was always there for support for his friends and always had a smile on his face to help brighten someone’s day. We lost touch out of high school but always thought of him as a good friend. He will be missed beyond comprehension and especially to those who were the closest to him. I am keeping you all in my prayers. May God bless his soul and pray that his singing echoes in the heavens above 🙏🙏
Michael and Heather, it is so unnatural to lose a child. No one ever plans it. I pray for your hearts to not stop at bitterness. This is do difficult. I am praying for you both.
I love Matthew and am saddened by your loss. I have fond memories of Matthew as a little boy in Ohio and his enthusiasm riding to and from AWANAS. He was the youngest of the kids and loved to focus on the gauges on the van console on our rides. What a smart kid he was and always a delight! I am so sorry for the entire Windheuser family and am comforted in the fact that Matthew knew the Lord.
Sending my condolences to your family. Matthew was a very good person and a friend to all who knew him. I went to school with him in Lawrence for a little while before I moved to Topeka and he was a nice person.
I have been trying to think of the right words to say but there are no “right words”. Matt was one of my good friends in high school. I enjoyed choir and theatre with him. We were both in “The Laramie Project” and graduated together in 2007. We lost touch out of high school but he was a great and supportive friend. I was also friends with Jessie in high school and also lost touch with her. I am thinking of her and her boys. Wishing her and all of his family the wave and healing in this time of sadness. Matt-I will sing one more song for you. May you rest in peace
I did not know Matt well. What I did know was that he loved life and his family. I also know that he loved Jessica and her boys with all that he was. I had several opportunities to talk with him and I enjoyed our conversations. I will miss having a cup of coffee with him. My most sincere condolences for your loss. I pray for comfort and peace for the family and loved ones.
So very sad to hear this. Did not know Michael very well, but knew him through his sisters Laura and Lydia. A wonderful
family, to be sure. My heart reaches out to you all.
I’m terribly saddened to learn of your loss — I’ve been in DC for many years, but still keep an eye on Lawrence and Kansas news and noticed your name. I’m an old friend of Anthony Hensley’s and recall when your son ran for that Senate seat. My best to you and yours — HB
I remember Matthew from an English Composition class I taught at JCCC. He was an asset to the class and a genuinely pleasant–and smart–person to be around. I met you, Heather, during that time. And, of course, Michael, I remember you from our days teaching at Prairie View High School. My best to you, Mom and Dad. This has to be difficult.
I’m so sorry to hear of Matthew’s passing. My daughter was in Hello Dolly with him at LHS; I remember so clearly one performance when there was some type of on-stage mishap — Matthew stayed perfectly in character as the head waiter and shouted out “Heads will roll for this!” It was a remarkable blend of humor and quick thinking. What a special young man.
Our nephew remembered his wide smile and quiet calm attitude! We remember who creates us and calls us home when the time is perfect! Prepared , ready and full of faith in Jesus is all we request! Jim and I will be there in spirit watching! Praying!
Betsy just told me about Matthew’s passing into glory. I am so sad for all of you as I’m sure this was totally unexpected. May God’s peace find you as you work through the pain.
In sorrow
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