Balloons soar in memory of Kellen Lund

Tim Leeds Havre Daily News [email protected]

A crowd filled the lawn in front of the Boys & Girls Club of the Hi-Line in Havre Monday as family and friends of Kellen Lund gathered to remember. Balloons filled the sky at the end of the ceremony to honor Kellen, who died July 27 from injuries sustained when a grain truck turning right onto 1st Street from the viaduct on 7th Avenue struck him. Lund, 9 years old, was walking his bicycle across the intersection at the time. In his opening remarks at the ceremony, the Rev. Brad Ulgenes of Havre's First Lutheran Church said it was appropriate to have the ceremony at the Boys & Girls Club, “a place he just loved, and he had so many friends here.” In his opening prayer, Ulgenes said that while this is a sad time for all who knew and loved Kellen, it is a happy time as well, “that we remember the happy times, that we will remember him forever.” Dawn Rathbun, office manager of the Boys & Girls Club, said before the ceremony that Kellen had been a popular member of the club for several years. “He was busy. He didn't let any grass grow under his feet,” Rathbun said. “It's been pretty teary here quite a few times,” she added. Buck Christofferson, youth development assistant at the Boys & Girls Club, said it has been hard making it through the past week at the club. “It's affected the whole town,” he added. During the ceremony, he reminisced about coaching Kellen. Christofferson said he could not attend the coaching at the very beginning. When he arrived Christofferson said, Kellen said, “I just got done breaking in that old guy, now I will break you in.' “I said, I bet you will,'” Christofferson said. Matt Buerkle, youth developMent specialist at the club, said it is the good things about Kellen that will be remembered. He needed to get after Kellen every once in a while, he said. “It was almost fun to get after him,” Buerkle added. “He always had that little mischievous grin.” Carol Gabrielsen, whose children were friends with Kellen, said before the ceremony that a candlelight vigil held by his memorial at the aqueduct Thursday filled the area. A crowd came to the vigil, just through text-messaging and word of mouth. “The whole corner was just filled with people,” Gabrielsen said, adding, “He was just a wonderful little boy.” Tim Brurud, director of the club, said during the ceremony that Kellen had been at the club almost every day since he had joined some two years ago. A plaque in Kellen's memory is being placed at the club, he added. “I believe, like most of you believe, that I will see Kellen again,” Brurud said. “He was a great friend."