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Bike riders remember Kellen Lund

On Saturday morning at Pepin Park, more than 200 community members gathered to show their support in remembrance of young Kellen Lund, who died last year in a fatal bicycle accident.

According to Stacy Baldwin, one of the event's organizers, a seven-member committee consisting of James Dahl, Dave Lewis, Brad and Stacy Baldwin, and Tiffany, Jerri, and Terry O'Leary, has been planning the memorial bike ride since January. The ride was intended as a way to educate the community's children on bicycle safety and how to make sure that the drivers of vehicles see bicycles.

"This is in memory of Kellen. We don't want anyone to forget what happened," said Jerri O'Leary. "We are trying to raise bicycle and driver awareness so it doesn't happen again and we are here to have fun." The community's children turned out en masse to remember their friend and learn how to prevent the tragedy from happening to them.

Ally Ramsbacher, 11, came to the ride Because she "thought it would be good support for the family." Kaylee Kardell, 8, was riding with her friend Jenna Hobson, also 8, to "show good support and remember Kellen." Jean Murphy's husband Dennis had coached Kellen in basketball and baseball, so the family knew Kellen well.

"He was playing on our baseball team right before the accident," Murphy said. "There are several of the boys that were on the team with him here today." Along with remembering Kellen, the community came out to ride and have some fun, which is exactly what Sadie Filius, 6, intended to do.

"I'm here because I like riding my bike, and it's fun," said Filius.

Kellen's brother, Tavien Lund, 3, was also impressed with the day as he sped up and down the blocked-off street on his bicycle.

"I crash when I go fast," said Tavien while trying to balance the long safety flag on the back of his bicycle. Bobby Lund, Kellen and Tavien's father, was happy to see the community pull together to make the memorial ride something special.

"It's excellent," said Lund while carefully watching Tavien speed by. "The community is really impressive." Community businesses donated anything they could to make the day a success, according to Jerri O'Leary.

"We have over 50 volunteers here today to help it run smoothly," said Jerri while preparing for the riders to return. "Gary Baltrusch donated the safety flags, we had fifty helmets we gave away and we will be giving away bicycles as well." Shawn Holden, owner of Holden's Hot Wheels, was present with his sons and had donated the vinyl decals that read "In Memory of Kellen Lund," for the bicycles and helmets, and he donated the use of the store's truck for music and a portable PA system.

"My son wanted to be here to support the family," Holden said.

"I just brought whatever Jerri needed because bicycle safety is an important message." Roger Gruber, owner of Havre Bicycle, was on hand with a bicycle stand, extra tubes, and his tools.

"It's an important day for the family and I'm volunteering my time to make sure the bikes are in working order," said Gruber while replacing the inner tube on a flat tire. "I have adjusted some brakes today, fixed tires and just basically helped out," he added.

The Havre City Police Department Officer Kevin Corner had just finished bicycle training and was on hand to keep the community members safe during the ride.

"We're here to be involved for a good cause with a focus on safety," said Corner. "It was a tragic event, and we are trying to prevent it from happening again." Off-duty Hill County Sheriff's Office Deputy James Dahl was also there as a committee member to assist in any way possible.

"We're here to keep the memory of Kellen with us," said Dahl. "We are also promoting bicycle safety and awareness to keep the tragedy from happening again. I think he would have had a great time here today." After the memorial bicycle ride, there were games including bicycle limbo and races, giveaways and a barbecue with hamburgers, hot dogs and chips.

Scott Bergren, family friend to Terry O'Leary, was on hand offering assistance.

"I was putting flags on bicycles and noticed they needed a cook," stated Bergren.

Noah Brown, 11, and Will Thomas, 12, took a break and sat in the shade to wait for lunch after being the first to complete the ride.

"We knew Kellen," said Noah.

"He gave me his TV and hamsters; I wanted to come to show my support." Showing support was the reason for many of the community members who came to ride and partake in the day's events.

Dave Krezelak was there to "support the memory of Kellen Lund and to have some fun with the grandkids, kids and community." Dylan Hendrickson, 10, was also there to remember Kellen.

 

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