Alexander Joseph Kalal passed away peacefully on Dec. 19, 2021, after a courageous and hard fought battle with cancer, with his wife and mother by his side.
Alex was born in Minneapolis on Feb. 21, 1992, to Victoria Swanson and John Kalal. He grew up in Apple Valley, Minn. From a young age, music was a huge part of his life. He was humming and singing before he spoke his first words. Alex had a bigger-than-life personality. He was always dancing, singing, and making friends with everyone he came in contact with. Through his Christian upbringing and strong faith, he made everyone feel special and loved. Not only did Alex enjoy being around people, he had a love for animals that started with his first dog Dala.
He was a 2010 graduate of Eastview High School where his love for Jazz music and football started. He developed a love for football by playing the game, watching the NFL, and participating in Fantasy Football in various leagues with friends and family. After high school he attended Luther College where he met the love of his life, Jocelyn (Petersen) Kalal’14. Alex was a member of the Luther College Jazz Orchestra and the Zeta Tau Psi Service Fraternity. He graduated from Luther in 2014 with a Bachelor's degree in Mathematics and Statistics and a minor in Spanish.
Alex took a job with Compass Airlines as a Reliability Analyst and was promoted to an Operations Analyst. His interest in the position stemmed from his love of traveling around the United States which began with a trip with his mom at 6 months old. He has taken over 100 trips in his lifetime including a trip to California to support and visit with his favorite band, 96 Bitter Beings. Alex joined the Daily Pay team in 2017 as a Senior Payments Operations Analyst. During his time at both companies, he created numerous lasting friendships.
Alex and Jocelyn celebrated their marriage, surrounded by family and friends, in a beautiful summer wedding on June 17, 2017, in Eau Claire, Wis. They loved to spend quality time together, spend time with their friends and family, attending various concerts and movies, and traveling whenever they could.
Alex enjoyed listening to music, watching movies of all genres and dancing the night away. Although he enjoyed these things, what meant most to him was spending time with his wife, dog Milo, his family and friends, making people laugh, and bringing joy to everyone he encountered.
Alex was a light to the world. He was loving, caring, funny, and always there for anyone in all situations. He was the shoulder to lean on, the ear to listen, and the compass guiding those close to him. Every person he came in contact with left his presence feeling they made a new lifelong friend. Alex made every moment fun and memorable even while going through his cancer journey. His love for each of his family members and friends was truly immense.
Alex has touched so many lives and we will always cherish the memories of him forever.
We want to thank Dr. Steven Rousey and the Staff at Minnesota Oncology in Edina, and the Nurses at Fairview Southdale Hospital on the Cancer Floor for their excellent care and compassion throughout the last three years.
Alex was proceeded in death by his grandmother, Elizabeth Swanson and uncle, Derrick Swanson. Survived by his wife Jocelyn (Petersen) Kalal ‘14; mother, Vicki Swanson and father, John Kalal; siblings, Matt and Mike Kalal; grandfather, James Swanson; aunts, Caroline Swanson and Tess (Kurt) Krotzer; uncle, Joe (Kathy) Kalal; also by other loving family and friends.
Funeral service was Dec. 30, 2021, at Restoration Covenant Church, 12156 Nicollet Ave, Burnsville, MN
55337. Visitation was Dec. 29, 2021 at White Funeral home (14560 Pennock Ave) Apple Valley. Memorials will be forwarded by the family to some of Alex’s favorite charities.