Kalen Ryan Pohjonen, age 21 of Vadnais Heights, formerly of Hudson died unexpectedly Tuesday January 25th at his residence. Kalen was born on February 16, 1989 in Duluth, MN.  He attended elementary, middle and high school in Hudson, WI.  He received his high school diploma in 2007.  On August 1, 2009, he was united in marriage to Katherine Quam at Bethel Highlands Lutheran Church in Hudson. Together, they made Vadnais Heights their home.  Kalen attended the University of Minnesota and the ROTC program for two years.  He was a member of the Minnesota National Guard unit and was scheduled to deploy to Kuwait / Iraq in May. He had served in the National Guard since August 2007.   

Kalen is survived by his parents, Kimberly and Andy Anderson, of New York, siblings Jeremy and Jenna. Kalen had a close relationship with his cousins Trevor and Taylor Whitaker, aunt Carolyn Whitaker,  and grandparents , Earl Weideman and Sandra Robinson.   Kalen is preceeded in death by his grandmother Vivian Weideman and grandfather William Whitaker.

A Celebration of Life for Kalen will be 1:30PM Monday January 31st at Bethel Highlands Lutheran Church; 504 Frontage Road in Hudson. Visitation will be on Sunday from 4 until 8PM at Bethel Highlands Lutheran Church and one hour prior to the service at church on Monday. Burial will be in the Willow River Cemetery with active casketbearers being Jeremy Pohjonen, Trevor Whitaker, William Whitaker, Sean Robinson, Josh Halvorson, and Mike Andrle.   Memorials are preferred.  Funeral services entrusted to the O’Connell Family Funeral Home of Hudson, 715-386-3725.