FITCHBURG - Kellen Gary Binger made it to everlasting peace and joy on Thursday, Feb. 2, 2023.

Kellen was awaiting a second kidney transplant. He fought with valiant effort to make it there. Kellen was dealt a bad hand from the beginning. Despite that, he displayed courage, surrounded himself with amazing friends, and used his signature humor to fight to the end.

Kellen was born on March 15, 1998, in Madison to Tim and Dinny (Messner) Binger. Kellen attended St. Maria Goretti through 7th grade, finished middle school at Core Knowledge in Verona and graduated from Verona Area High School in 2016.

Growing up, Kellen played hockey for the Madison Polar Caps. He also loved to ski and snowboard. He discovered a passion for photography, videography, hunting and the outdoors. Kellen and his friend Calvin Conner created Back Country Boys Productions. One of their short films was selected to be in the International Hunting Film Festival and was shown in more than seven countries. The friendship and experiences paved the way for Kellen to live his best life.

Kellen found his dream school after visiting Calvin at the University of Montana, Missoula, however, this was not in his parents’ master financial plan. Kellen developed his own plan. He asked for permission to work in Montana for a summer… or at least that is what he told his family. With a smile on his face, and his dad’s truck packed, he headed to Montana. Kellen worked as a driver at a five-star ranch, The Ranch at Rock Creek. Next, Kellen enrolled at the University of Montana and worked the following summer at The Rock Creek Cattle Company. Kellen’s next two summers were his favorite - captaining his own boat as a fly-fishing guide out on the beautiful rivers of Montana helping other people achieve their bucket list. Kellen graduated in business as a proud Griz from the University of Montana, Missoula, in December 2021 - a proud accomplishment.

Kellen is survived by his two-year-old lab, Stella; parents, Tim and Dinny; sisters, Kole (Cody MaRooney, special friend) and Kali; brother, Kade; nephew, Kaison; grandmother, Sally Messner; aunts and uncles, Reed and Lisa (Legris) Messner, Kurt and Laura Messner, Amy and Todd Thompson, Glen and Joni Messner, Sara Messner, Tom and Kim Binger and Jon and Stacy Binger; and cousins, Kelly, Michael, Matthew and Reed Thompson, Mick, Molly, Kate and Anna Messner, Paige, Shea and Jack Rayner, Max and Sierra Binger, and Alec and Terrin Binger. He was preceded in death by his paternal grandparents, Jim Binger and Ollie and Sally Wheeler; and maternal grandfather, Gary Messner.

Kellen was happiest and healthiest living in Montana. Although away from his family, he created a network of true friends that enabled him to live out his dreams. Kellen’s people: Calvin Connor, Jack Hardwick, Kinlee Brandt, Cameron Williams, Zach Laborde, Kayla Connor, Forrest Hammen, Gavin McCormick, Jack McCardell, Marc Geale, Weston Warrick, Ian Needs, Matt Duffy, Colin Nobil, Sara Stahl, the Griz staff, and the Missoula Fresenius Kidney Care Team. Thank you for being his people and helping him to “live his best life.”

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at BLESSED SACRAMENT CATHOLIC CHURCH, 2121 Rowley Ave., Madison, at 11 a.m. on Friday, Feb. 10, 2023, with Father Pat Norris presiding. A celebration of life will be held at LUSSIER FAMILY HERITAGE CENTER, 3101 Lake Farm Road, Madison, immediately following the Mass. Please wear cheerful colors and come with fun stories to share. Visitation will be held at GUNDERSON FITCHBURG FUNERAL AND CREMATION CARE, 2950 Chapel Valley Road, from 4 p.m. until 7 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 9, 2023

In lieu of flowers, please sign up to be an organ donor at https://www.organdonor.gov/sign-up. Donations can also be made to Cystinosis Research Network (CRN) https://www.cystinosisresearch.org/donate/. Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.

Gunderson Fitchburg

Funeral & Cremation Care

2950 Chapel Valley Road

(608) 442-5002

Kellen Binger

March 15, 1998 - February 02, 2023

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