Daniel Matthew Siekkinen

Daniel Matthew Siekkinen was born on June 26, 2003 in Cheyenne, Wyoming, to a biological clan unworthy of him. When Daniel was just 3 years old, he became a hero,  escaping from that house and saved both himself, and his baby brother. Daniel and his brother moved into their second foster home April 4, 2007, and the adoption was finally finalized December 15, 2008.

Despite warnings of a speech impediment and learning disabilities, Daniel graduated kindergarten with a "best diction" certificate, and was entered into the gifted program because of his high I.Q. Daniel thrived in elementary and junior high with constant honor roll and other awards. 

Daniel studied jiu-jitsu for several years and absolutely loved it. His coaches and teammates also loved him, and his brother was his best training partner. He was a gifted artist, writer and a brilliant thinker. 

In high school Daniel began to truly wrestle with the demons thrust upon him by his early childhood trauma. He fought diligently, his family along side him.  

After high school Daniel moved to Colorado to work with his grandfather and to reconnect with the biological clan. For a second time, they could not see the beautiful person he was, nor the trauma they themselves had caused, and Daniel felt rejected. 

Daniel had a big, soft heart, but his trauma, which he worked diligently to overcome, would not let him believe he was worthy of all of life's wonders and the love he received. 

In early 2024 Daniel finally received a mental health diagnosis and a brighter future knowing how to handle it.

Daniel knew love and knew he was loved, but shouldered heartbreak and pain no one so young should have to- some his own choices, most, the ghosts of the distant past. Through it all, he was loved and supported by an army of loving family and friends. 

Daniel had a wonderful sense of humor and a magical, dimpled laugh which lit up a room. He was beautiful and bright, unlimited potential lay ahead of him. 

Daniel was cruelly taken from this world in an automobile accident on June 12, 2024. Two weeks before his 21st birthday. 

Daniel is survived by his great grandmother Shirley Siekkinen, his grandparents Pam Siekkinen, Richard Poche and Linda Poche.

Daniel is also survived by his parents Jamie and Allison Siekkinen, his brother Andrew Siekkinen and countless other loving and heartbroken family and friends. 

If you or anyone you know struggles with addiction or mental health issues, YOU ARE WORTH SAVING. Reach out and never stop believing you can thrive.