Ken and Lois Kallgren and family |
Our 15th Annual Tree of Shining Love Dedication and Tree Lighting Ceremony was held Saturday, December 6, at 3:30 p.m. at the Seton Cancer Institute, 2780 Main St., Marlette.
2003 Tree of Shining Love Honoree
In Honor of
Ken and Lois Kallgren
In 1989, Ken and Lois Kallgren visited an area hospital and witnessed a great idea for a hospital fundraiser, which involved lighting bulbs on trees for donations! They brought this idea back to Marlette and with a lot of work and dedication the Tree of Shining Love became a reality.
Ken and Lois married on June 29, 1958 and have raised three wonderful children: Marie (John) Stanczak, Marlette; Bryan Kallgren, Troy, MI; and Karol (Dennis) Strahl, Zionsville, IN. Their lives have also been blessed with three beautiful granddaughters; Cynthia, Melanie, and Kassandra.
Volunteerism is a family event for the Kallgrens. Lois has been a faithful volunteer in the hospital gift shop for over 25 years. Ken, his daughter Marie, and granddaughter Melanie, have worked the hospital's golf tournament for the past several years.
The hospital kept the Kallgren family hopping, but did you know that Ken was also the past Mayor of Marlette. He has also held other positions such as: city clerk, town council member and secretary for the Chamber of Commerce.
Ken has received the Distinguished Service Award from the Marlette Junior Chamber of Commerce and the Lions Key Award for the many years he served as their treasurer.
Volunteerism and community involvement have played an enoumous part of Ken and Lois' life. They have given time to support their local church. They have also volunteered many hours to the school, particularly the band boosters. They were the chairpersons of the first Marlette Band Day parade and community event, which later evolved into today's Marlette Country Fair Days.
Congratulations to this well-deserving couple for their years of dedication to our hospital as well as to our community! |