Kyle Matthew Schaan

Kyle Matthew Schaan, age 31, most recently of Belen, New Mexico passed away unexpectedly on June 6, 2018 while vacationing in Lakewood, Colorado. He was a beloved son, brother, uncle, grandson, great grandson and friend who’s smile could light up any room. Kyle was born on September 5, 1986 in Williston, North Dakota to Doug and Stephanie (Bawdon) Schaan. During his first year he moved with his family to Greeley, Colorado. He graduated from Greeley Central High School in 2005 and briefly attended Aims Community College. While growing up, Kyle enjoyed playing baseball and basketball. At the age of nine, Kyle got the entrepreneurial spirit and became a newspaper carrier for the Greeley Tribune. He was recognized for his dedication by being named Carrier of the Year at age ten. He held his route for six years, all the while investing his money into mutual funds and the stock market with the help of a family friend who was a financial advisor. He also enjoyed selling sports cards on eBay. His search for that big money card led him to become the Grand Prize Winner of a national sports card contest called Player of the Day in 2002. As the winner, he got to spend the day with Denver Bronco Ed McCaffrey. Kyle was thrilled. As Kyle got older, he became interested in poker. He enjoyed playing the game and eventually went to school to become a poker dealer. At age 21, Kyle moved to Las Vegas, Nevada and began dealing poker to the professionals at Caesar’s Palace. Upon returning to Colorado in 2009, Kyle was employed as a dealer of table games at various casinos in Black Hawk and Central City, Colorado. Kyle enjoyed playing golf, bowling and traveling with friends to music festivals and concerts. He was an accomplished cook and had dreams of owning a food truck. In November 2017, Kyle made a conscious decision to leave the casino life behind and moved to Belen, New Mexico. Kyle was currently employed by The Home Depot, but had really found his niche working for Black’s Smuggler Winery. He was learning all aspects of the wine business and was looking forward to the future and a summer filled with Wine Festivals. Kyle is survived by his parents, Doug Schaan of Greeley, Colorado and Stephanie Gallegos of Belen, New Mexico; sister, Alissa Bowlin of Greeley, Colorado; nephews, Marcus Huntley and Joshua Huntley of Greeley, Colorado; paternal grandmother, Dolores Brorby of Grenora, North Dakota; maternal grandmother, Deanna Bawdon of Greeley, Colorado; maternal grandfather, Gerald Bawdon of Rapid City, South Dakota; maternal great-grandmother, Thyria Ellis of San Diego, California; and a large loving extended family and many friends. Kyle was preceded in death by his uncle, David Schaan; paternal grandfathers, Dean Brorby and Alfred Schaan; paternal great-grandparents, Milford and Margaret Braden; paternal great-grandfather, R.R. Bawdon; and maternal great-grandfather, Max Ellis. A Celebration of Life will be held on July 21, 2018 at 11:00am at First Congregational Church in Greeley, Colorado. There will also be a second celebration for Kyle on August 11, 2018 at Black’s Smuggler Winery in Bosque, New Mexico.