Thomas J. Lieffring, age 59, of Inver Grove Heights, MN, formerly of Durand, WI, died Friday, July 17, 2015 at the Methodist Hospital in St. Louis Park, MN with his family by his side after a courageous battle with cancer.

Tom was born on April 12, 1956 in Durand, son of Giles and Edith “Dolly” (Hooker) Lieffring.  He grew up in Durand and graduated from Durand High School in 1974.  After high school, Tom attended and graduated from UW-Stout in 1979 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Industrial Engineering.  He was an employee of Honeywell in the Twin Cities for many years.  Tom left to pursue IT consulting opportunities in Oracle software applications with KPMG and other local IT consulting firms.  In 2006, Tom started his own consulting firm with his wife, Janice.

Tom enjoyed spending time at his cabin near Battle Lake in Northern Minnesota and working on his 1958 Chris-Craft antique boat.  He also liked to go fishing, swimming, golfing, cross-country and downhill skiing and hiking.  In addition, he had a passionate interest in WWII history.  Most of all, Tom loved spending time with family and friends.

Tom was deeply loved and will be greatly missed by his wife; Janice Kruse, one brother; Mike of Palm Springs, CA, three sisters; Jean (Roy) Goodnough of Sedona, AZ, Mary Polzer of Durand and Marge (Tony) Binkowski of Elmwood, many nieces, nephews, relatives and good friends.  He is preceded in death by his parents and one brother; Pat.

A Celebration of Life in recognition of Tom’s amazing ability to give joy to others will be held from 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM with a time of sharing at 4:30 PM on August 22, 2015 at the Rhiel Funeral Home in Durand.

 In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in the name of Tom Lieffring to support Bladder Cancer Research (30506030) at the University of Iowa Foundation.   Please note Tom’s name and account #30506030 in the memo line.  Donations may be mailed to UI Foundation, P.O. Box 4550, Iowa City, IA 52244-4550 or made online at www.givetoiowa.org/cancer or credit card gifts are accepted by calling Toll Free 800-648-6973, Ext. 895.  Corporations providing matching gifts can reference the Tax ID of 42-0796760.

Rhiel Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Durand, is serving the family.

Condolences

1. John Pattison September 16, 2015, at 9:35am

   To Jan and family,

   Please accept my sincere condolences at the loss of Tom. I knew the guy since second grade, and he was always a great friend and a super human being. I always loved running into you two and getting to "talk shop" about medical products with you, Jan. I really don't know what else to say, as it would seem so small in comparison to your loss. Please know that you and your extended families are in my prayers.

   Sincerely,
   John Pattison

2. JoAnn Manor August 22, 2015, at 10:48am

   So sorry to hear about Tommy. Thinking about your family at this sad time. God Bless!

3. Damon Metts August 22, 2015, at 9:45am

   Tom will always remain with everyone that he met as the kind and silent one who never put himself before others. My children know of Tom as that example of the best of our existence on earth.

4. Greg Glaus August 22, 2015, at 8:13am

   We are sincerely sorry for your loss of Tom, an amazing guy and life long friend. Since my sister Babbette recently lost her battle with cancer, we've come to appreciate the need for continued research to defeat all cancers. We will make a donation to bladder cancer research in his memory.
   We will be out of town today for a wedding and unable to attend the service. Please know we send our love, prayers & hugs.
   God Bless,
   Greg and Roxie Glaus

5. Drew Garczynski August 17, 2015, at 12:44pm

   Hey Jan,
   My deepest sympathy and condolences to you. You Re in our prayers.
   If possible... Maybe Terry or Todd would be willing to share a great memory of mine with everyone on Saturday as I regret I will not be able to attend....
   Every year, our circle of friends had taken turns hosting a party, or gathering of old colleagues. There was a Ski and Chilli Party.... Mine was a Halloween party... And Tom and Jan had one around the holiday season or shortly after each year. Tom and I had a continual planking of each other every time we'd connect. Tom set all the alarms in my house to go off .....at three AM..... Like wise ... I replied with a total TP -ing of his bedroom. The only catch was .... On Sunday morning.... Tom called Terry Holifield requesting information on a " missing item"..... Terry replied instantly "Tom... Think about this, do you really think I would do that....you better call Drew." A phone call ensued promptly and a laughing but concerned and hung over Tom said ..... " Drew....where did you put my shoes???" Where I replied......."check your freezer"

6. Sandy & Fred Sobottka August 7, 2015, at 6:51pm

   Sorry for your loss Jan! We will always remember Tom's bright smile and laughter when he talked about his college years at Stout with Fred! I can see his smirk! Celebrating Tom! We will miss him dearly!

7. Judy (Lieffring) Townsend July 30, 2015, at 7:17am

   My thoughts and prayers are with his wife, Jan and his brother, Mike, sisters, Jeanie, Mary and Margie. May all your fondest memories of Tommy be comforting to you at this difficult time. With love from "Cousin Judy"...

8. Brigitte Schiller July 28, 2015, at 7:59am

   Janice,
   Please accept my condolences. Losing a loved one is never easy. My thoughts are with you.
   Brigitte

9. john judy parr July 28, 2015, at 7:53am

   our sympathy is with you all

10. Mike & Charlene Bradshaw July 27, 2015, at 5:48pm

    Janice, You are in our thoughts & prayers during this very sad time for you. May God be with you.

11. Tom & Sue Milliren July 27, 2015, at 3:51pm

    Our deepest sympathy ! We always enjoyed talking to Tom , he was truly a super person -

12. Ruth Luebker July 27, 2015, at 2:09pm

    Marge and family. I am so sorry to hear about the loss of your brother. Your family is in my thoughts and prayers.

13. Dave Deutsch July 27, 2015, at 1:03pm

    Jan and Tom's Family

    I was fortunate to have worked with Tom over the years.

    I first met Tom in the 90s while working at FSI in Chaska, MN. Tom was a consultant and helped with my learning curve on our the new business software.

    After changing employers, our paths crossed again this time at Donaldson Company in 1998. We often joked that I followed Tom to Donaldson.
    Tom was multi skilled and always remained cool under pressure.
    I also utilized his skils on a significant project in 2001-2002. And again Tom filled the gap and ensured a successful project conclusion for our team.

    Tom was a great guy! Always willing to jump in help to get specfic tasks completed.
    He will be missed by many

    Take care and God Bless you

    Dave Deutsch

14. Barb Byers July 27, 2015, at 8:42am

    Jan, Words cannot express how sad we all are for your loss.
    Tom was an extraordinary person. He was loved and admired by everyone he touched, a true stand up guy!
    His smile on your wedding day says it all, he was so happy to be your husband.
    We were blessed to be your friends, the countless Sunday night dinners, trips to the cabin, many other great memories.
    "When someone you love becomes a memory,
    that memory becomes a treasure"
    Love you, our hearts reach out to you and your family. Barb,Mike, Bri & Micheala

15. Yousef Zakharia July 26, 2015, at 8:43pm

    Tom, thank you for having me and my staff involved in your care and for coming all the way to Iowa City to get treated. Even though I have met you only twice later in your disease process, I have learned a lot about you and Janice being great people, kind and meticulous!
    Unfortunately death was stronger than us all.
    Janice, thank you for helping in the care of Tom, you really did a great job caring for him, and tried the impossible to help him!!
    Thank you both for the thoughtful gift to the Bladder Cancer Research at University of Iowa and Holden Comprehensive Cancer Center, this will help many other bladder cancer patients.

    My thoughts and prayers with you and family.

    Yousef Zakharia
    University of Iowa.
    Holden Comprehensive Cancer Center.

16. Nariko July 24, 2015, at 9:49pm

    I am very sorry for your loss. It was only two months ago when you, Tom, Jane and I took a long walk on Saturday morning. Tom didn't look sick at all. I still can't believe it. It was too quick and he is too young to be gone. If there is anything I can help you with during this difficult time, please let me know.

17. Bob & Cheryl Payne July 24, 2015, at 3:46pm

    Tom was a great guy, Cheryl and I met him many yesrs ago at Honeywell. Tom was always kind and gentle to those around him. After Tom went into consulting I worked with him on several projects. Any time that Tom and I ended up on a project together I knew it would be fun.
    We met Jan through work parties and social functions, there were great stories and much laughter when we were together.
    Jan we will be praying for you in these hard and confusing times.

18. carol hunter July 24, 2015, at 3:34pm

    My brother just told me about this,I am so sorry for your loss,my deepest sympathy and may God bless you at this time.

19. Venkat Kotla July 24, 2015, at 2:44pm

    Hi Jan,
    I am very sorry for your loss. Tom was an absolute gentleman and very generous, helpful and always smiling. That is how I remember Tom. About 16 years ago, when we were working together, I asked him for some advice regarding my career and he generously sat down and spent a lot of time with me and gave me very useful advice that I vividly remember to this day. I am so grateful for that and it is very sad to know he is not with us any more. May his soul rest in peace.

20. Ananth Krishnan July 24, 2015, at 2:13pm

    May the almighty bless the family with the strength to bear this loss. I knew Tom briefly during a project that we worked on together. Tom was one of the most professional colleagues I have ever worked with and a genuinely nice as a person. I am certain he passed with a smile on his face. I am happy to have known you Tom. You are in a better place now.
    Peace.

21. Suzy Frankowski July 24, 2015, at 10:04am

    Jan, Tommy was a good friend, soft spoken but knew how to have a good time. I have fond memories from Stout, Wed nights at Pine Point, Dinner Parties at the Irving Apt, to Sled and Chili parties. Rosie and Anna said to me that when they eat Homemade ice cream, they will be thinking of Tommy. His memories will live on.

22. Jeanne Bauer Guinn July 24, 2015, at 6:21am

    My condolences for your loss.

23. Joel Alberts July 23, 2015, at 9:34pm

    As all of us are way too busy with things surrounding us, Tom always was as peace to me with who he was, where he was and content. His kind of man is rare. He showed great love and joy in his wife and her great family. That love extended to my family through my kinship with the Kruse family for which we will all remember fondly. He lives on in my memories and my children's memory forever. He never said a mean word or took a low road in this world which in the end is a great measure of a man. His kind is rare and I take what he stood for and did in his life as a great lesson. Go with grace, Tom, to your just rewards in heaven, as your were truly loved.

    We pray for peace and understanding to his family and all that knew him in this life.

    Joel, Brenda, Emma and Isaac Alberts

24. Mr. & Mrs. Ervin J. Nemec Jr. July 23, 2015, at 12:34pm

    Our deepest sympathy to the Thomas J. Lieffring family. May God bless Tom's family to get through this sad time.

25. Mary Jane and Marsha brantnet July 23, 2015, at 12:34pm

    We are so sorry for your loss!! Thoughts and prayers are with you all.

26. Becky Cahn July 23, 2015, at 8:23am

    My heart goes out to you Jan! Tom was one of the best men I have had the pleasure of knowing. He will be greatly missed. So glad to have happy memories of cabin dinners on the dock to watch the sunset and your beautiful wedding where you both were so happy.

27. Julie & Tim Hoffman July 22, 2015, at 2:33pm

    Our deepest sympathy to the Lieffring family. May Tom rest in peace.

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