Benjamin Edward Kallander

Benjamin Edward Kallander was born December 23, 1985 in Denver, Colorado. He was adopted along with his younger brother Andrew, in 1987 into the family of Kevin and Vicki Kallander, and their four children, Michael, Angela, Brian, and Timothy. Growing up Ben was very active in many organizations and activities. These included participating in Young Marines with his brother. Church groups such as Awanas, and the youth group at Conifer Community Church. He volunteered at camp Id-Ra-Ha-Je, went on youth missionary trips to Mexico where he helped build a church, and an Indian Reservation in Arizona working with the disabled. He also helped victims of Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans by being part of a chainsaw crew, cutting trees off destroyed homes. As a child he participated in lots of sports such as baseball and basketball, soccer, karate and taekwondo. Beginning as a child, Ben always showed a great love for video and computer games. He spent many days with Andy walking to the library to spend hours on the computer, or staying up all night with his siblings playing Nintendo. He was so incredibly smart, and always expressed his interest in wanting to become a computer programmer or creator of video games. We always thought Ben would be the next Bill Gates, successful in creating something genius in computers. Ben's first job was a Domino's Pizza. He then became a cashier at both the Safeway and King Sooper's in Conifer, and was a night manager at Target. He finished his working career as a Chef in the United States Army. Ben started school at Foothills Elementary, continued on to Dunstan Middle School, and finished at Conifer High School. He continued his education with the United States Army, where he served five and a half years, ending as a Sergeant. During this time he completed Basic Training at Fort Jackson South Carolina, Advanced Individual Training (AIT) at Fort Lee Virginia, and served at his duty station Fort Carson Colorado. He also served one year overseas in South Korea. For his honorary service he received awards and medals. Throughout life, Ben loved spending quality time with family and friends where he would go camping, hiking and fishing. Going on family trips to places such as Glacier National Park, snuggling with his sister Angie, playing basketball with his siblings, and playing in the river catching crawdads. He also enjoyed spending time with his Nieces and Nephews; he was always great with children. Benjamin was proceeded in death by Grandfather Keith and wife Lois Kallander, survived by Grandfather Leo and wife Lois Schmid, Father Kevin Kallander, Mother Vicki Kallander, Brother Michael Kallander and wife Karin and children Matthew, Titus, Luke, and their baby on the way, Sister Angela Kallander-Foot and husband Scott and children Kierah, Jaden, Brianna, and D.J., Brother Brian Kallander and wife Jennette and children Skyler and Brady, Brother Timothy Kallander and wife Jillian and children Alexandra, Micah, Hailey and Caleb, Brother Andrew Kallander and wife Amanda, along with extended family. Benjamin was extremely loved, and is missed greatly by his family and friends. We know you are smiling down on us from Heaven, full of pickles, playing video games and being spoiled by Grandma and her lemon drops. Visitation is on Sunday, October 20, 2013 from 3:00 to 7:00 PM at Horan & McConaty Family Chapel, 3101 South Wadsworth Boulevard, Lakewood, CO 80221. A Funeral Service will be held on Monday, October 21, 2013 at 1:00 PM at Horan & McConaty Family Chapel, 3101 South Wadsworth Boulevard, Lakewood, CO 80221 with interment at Fort Logan National Cemetery. Please share memories of Benjamin and condolences with his family by signing the online guestbook below.