KIEFFER, Thomas D., age 58

Died: Wednesday, August 6th, 2014

Memorial Service: 11:30 a.m. on Saturday, September 20, 2014 at the Unitarian Universalist Church in Eau Claire

Visitation: 1 hour prior to service at church

As music was a core component of Tom's life, he desired to invite friends and family who have sung with Tom at some point to join in a celebratory singing of John Rutter's For the Beauty of the Earth (SATB) during the memorial service. Copies of the music will be available.

Thomas David Kieffer, beloved father, life partner, and friend let go of this physical world on Wednesday morning, August 6, 2014 held in the arms of his immediate family.  A private home visitation was held on August 7.

Tom and Laurel Kieffer were joined in marriage on December 26, 1982 in Sheboygan Wisconsin. Tom and Laurel were blessed with the birth of daughters Cassandra (1984) and Melissa (1985), and son, David (1987) who continue to be a blessing as they live their lives fully and with love for each other and the world around them. Tom left work with Kieffer and Company, Sheboygan in 1990 to become primary parent to three young children and begin a farming adventure that would result in his helping to start a sheep dairy industry in Wisconsin and throughout North America.  Dream Valley Farm, LLC, Strum WI, became a place for gatherings of communities including sustainable agriculture, sheep dairying, school groups, youth groups, church groups, social justice groups and more.  He was delighted to be able to share the beauty of Dream Valley Farm through thought, food, fellowship and song.

October 1, 2012, while mowing lawn, Tom had an accident that resulted in a spinal cord injury and quadriplegia.   Healing and recovery from the quadriplegia injury became increasingly more difficult and complicated due to other health issues. The past two years since his accident have been full of struggles and triumphs. There were times when the going was tough, the pain intense, and the emotions challenging.  There were times with much laughter, great joy, and lots of happiness.  Throughout it all, there has been so much love - love among family, love shared with friends known and unknown.  So many people have been here for workdays, home and hospital visits, gardening, farm chores, and so much more.  We certainly know that the journey would have been very different, and more difficult, without the love and community that has been so freely given to us along the way and we thank you.  Tom has been, and will continue to be, our teacher, our guide, our friend, and our beloved father and life's partner.

We are also grateful to the many exceptionally kind and caring medical staff that became intimate partners in helping Tom to live as full a life as was possible with his extremely complicated health condition.  Thank you to the caring communities of staff at Mayo-Luther, Rochester, Osseo, and Barron, Mayo Home Health and Hospice, UW-Hospitals and Clinics, and Lifecare Hospital of Wisconsin in Pewaukee. 

Tom's ashes will be given roots and wings at Dream Valley Farm mid-afternoon on September 20 to physically reconnect Tom's body with the natural world.

In lieu of flowers or plants, Tom and his family have identified three options for gifting in his honor and memory:
Tom's first priority was to the Unitarian Universalist Congregation chancel renovation to assure accessibility to all who wish to come and participate. Tom was also committed to sustainable agriculture and land use. 
A second option is to make a donation to the Center for Integrated Agricultural Systems, UW- Madison College of Agricultural and Life Sciences on his behalf.
Finally, throughout the last 15 months of Tom's life, he was deeply intertwined with the Mayo Health System. The third option is to gift Mayo Clinic Health System-Eau Claire in memory of Tom Kieffer.