Patricia Jean Kallas

PJK Tribute

Born 04/27/1933 – At peace 06/06/2024 (Forever Beautiful)

A Midwestern girl meets a Midwestern boy in Colorado Springs, and they set forth on a journey of life and love not unlike many others, but this story is mine to tell because I’m their only son.

Mom lost Dad to heaven in 2018 after 63 years together. She evolved through that to be our family matriarch.   

She was born in Chicago, the daughter of Frank and Marie as their only child but part of a larger family of Aunts and Uncles, etc. as most were in those days. Marie was the lady of the house and Frank was a salesman for Brunswick Corp.

Mom graduated from St. Mary’s College. At that point in time her dad also evolved his career to become the proprietor of a bowling arcade in Colorado Springs and they moved to the Centennial State.  Colorado Springs was less than 10 miles from Ft. Carson where Dad was stationed. He took a job at the bowling arcade as a pinsetter during duty free time and the romance began. Mom and Dad married in December 1955. When He was discharged, they headed back to his hometown of Milwaukee to begin a family. I, their son Ken, was born in 1957.

The return to the land of beer & cheese was greeted by the large family of Kallas Aunts and Uncles, They eventually settled in Dad’s Aunts family duplex.  We and the Woelkerling’s (Herman, Delores, Billy & Tommy) would share life for 16 years until Mom & Dad purchased a home in 1972. Over those years the families formed a special bond with them, especially Tommy, which lasts to this day.

Mom also established a career in a well-known local family furniture store. She began as a bookkeeper and advanced steadily to be the company’s Treasurer. Her tenure there was just over 50 years.

On the fun side of life, Mom embraced the many friends met through Dad’s high school relationships and his lifelong career in the finance industry. They embarked on group vacations to the Bahamas, Las Vegas, Branson, and many more destinations over the years. The group of friends formed a card club that met each month and lasted for years.

Mom also had hobbies of sewing and knitting but her forte was organizing the household and family affairs. Mom was the manager of all thing’s “family” related.  

What Mom lacked in the culinary arts she more than made up for in keeping us balanced as a family. She always offered her support, understanding and encouragement. She blessed us with her love. I also have to credit her adaptation to my interest in dogs (gods secret angels) once I was married. She came to know and love 4 dogs.

While all this life was happening, I became married and had two children. Colleen and Andy. They were spoiled with love as grandparents often do. Mom had a special place in her heart for each of them.

She had pride in Colleen for the women she’s become and for Andy’s dedication to the things he sets out to accomplish.

Of particular significance was Andy’s choice to become a Marine and most recent for Colleen and her husband Kyle to bless our family with a fourth generation, their son, my grandson, and Mom’s great grandson.

Bjorn was born in January of this year, and was the light in my mother’s eye. He was the catalyst for mom to work through challenges in this stage of her journey, and I believe the satisfaction that her time here was whole. She was looking forward to uniting again with her beau, Wayne, and the pups that were now waiting with him, Held, Gus and Hank. xxooxxooxxoo

She was sharp as a tack and only compromised by an aging body. We were all in accord on what life had in store for her and celebrated the long life had.

Love you Mom, forever in our hearts, Ken, Andy, Colleen, Kyle and your “Baby Bear”, Bjorn.

~ Death leaves a heartache that no one can heal but “Love” leaves a memory that no one can steal! ~