The Tanner Kitelinger Memorial Fund
Badge #128 Gone but Never Forgotten
On June 9th, 2017, the world lost a selfless, kind, and thoughtful son, grandson, brother, nephew, cousin, and best friend when Tanner Kitelinger tragically passed away from complications of Type 1 Diabete. Proceeds of the Tanner Kitelinger Memorial Fund will support the Burlington, Wisconsin Police Department’s K9 Program and Tanner Kitelinger Memorial Rising Star Award.
Tanner Kitelinger 5K Run/Walk
Sat June 7, 2025
Beloit, WI 53511 US
Save the Date for our 7th Annual Toast to TanMan celebrating the life of our son, brother, and friend, Tanner Kitelinger. The day will kick off with a 5K FUN run/walk then an after party at The Rock Bar and Grill with a 50-50 raffle, meat raffle, prize raffle, kids fun and Karaoke.
Day of registration and starting line for the 5K will be located at Riverside Park (by the tennis courts), Riverside Dr., Beloit, Wisconsin near the shelter. Registration for the fun run will begin at 8:00 a.m. The 5K fun run/walk will begin at 9:30 a.m.
Proceeds from the Tanner Kitelinger Memorial Event including the 5K Run/Walk will go towards:
o Tanner Kitelinger Rising Star Award. This award supports selected Beloit Memorial and Beloit Turner Senior’s with their continued education as a first responder or front-line worker careers.
o VetsRoll. VetsRoll will receive support to pay tribute to our veteran heroes by transporting them to Washington, D.C over four days of honor remembrance, at no cost to our hero’s.
o Beloit Junior Knights Hockey Association. The Beloit Junior Knights Hockey Association.
Tanner's Story:
From a young age, Tanner was full of life and friendships. At the age of five, Tanner was up on water skis and hockey skates. Snowmobiling, wakeboarding, and dirt bikes fulfilled his need for speed and adventure. Tanner absolutely loved his time in the Beloit, WI school systems and forged close friendships with his classmates and teachers. His time at University of Wisconsin – Whitewater, obtaining his bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, was the pinnacle of his education. He loved college life and treasured his memories and friendships. In his spare time, Tanner embodied all things Wisconsin and committed to the Packers, Brewers, Badgers, and Bucks but found room for the Chicago Blackhawks as well. He did not miss a tailgate with family and friends
After gaining experience in the business field, Tanner decided to live out his lifelong dream to serve and protect. Tanner graduated from Blackhawk Technical College Police Academy as president of his class. He joined the Burlington, Wisconsin Police Department as a patrol officer and formed countless relationships with coworkers and members of the community. After a year and half on patrol, Tanner successfully launched the K9 program and was honored to become the K9 officer. With his new K9 partner and pal Zander, they set out to find the bad guy and had four successful searches. The bond they formed was beyond words. In such a short time, they worked seamlessly together.
Tanner could comfort and light up a room with his warm and compassionate personality and contagious smile. He formed special connections with everyone he met, because of his genuine kindness and sense of humor. After learning of his passing, Tanner’s friends stated; “He was truly one of a kind” and “To know Tanner, was to love Tanner.” Tanner’s life and legacy continue to inspire countless members of his family, friends, and the community.
As parents, we are beyond devastated that our son is gone, but we are beyond proud of who he was.
Rest easy family and friends, your guardian angel is still on patrol.
Founding Team:
- Jim Kitelinger
- Connie Kitelinger
- Ashley Lervik
- Dustin Lervik
- Todd DeMarb
- Chris DeMarb
- Chelsea DeMarb
- Megan Jacobs
- Jaron Bertelson
- Melissa Grover
- Matt Harpold
- Cathryn Jacobs
- Jonathan Kemman
- Katie Kruse
- Derek Larson
- Jacob Maegli
- Nick Meier
- Thomas Northrop
- Tyler Oldenburg
- Dakota Thompson
- Cole Weiser
Fund Administrators
-
Jim Kitelinger
-
Todd Demarb
-
Ashley Lervik
Donations
By Mail:
Tanner Kitelinger Memorial Fund
CharitySmith Nonprofit Foundation
13100 Filly Lane | Truckee, CA | 96161
Use credit card by clicking the link below.
The above Memorial Fund is established as a division of Charitysmith Nonprofit Foundation (EIN 87-0636433). All donations are tax deductible in accordance with federal tax law. Receipts for tax purposes are sent via US Mail within two weeks of donation. Please consider asking if your employer participates in a gift-matching program. If so, your donation may be matched by your employer.
For questions regarding your donation or this memorial fund please contact CharitySmith.