Kurtis Anthony Kiffel, age 59 of Kenosha, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, July 6, 2021, surrounded by his loving family.
Born on March 7, 1962, in Kenosha, he was the son of the late William and Gloria (Vite) Kiffel.
Kurtis graduated from Harvey Elementary grade school, Washington Junior High School and was a 1980 graduate of St. Joseph Catholic Academy. In 2000, Kurtis earned an Associate Degree in Horticulture from Gateway Technical Institute.
Kurt was employed with Stainless Products as a machinist for much of his career. Later, he worked at Gateway Technical Institute in the Horticultural Greenhouse.
During his school years he was active in Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts. He participated in the Boy Scout Model Car and Go-Cart Annual Derby, wrestling, basketball and baseball. Kurt enjoyed camping, hiking, swimming lessons and swimming competitions at the KYF, and was active in several bowling leagues. He enjoyed spending time boating and water-skiing on Power’s Lake at the family cottage, along with fishing, sailing, and playing board games. Kurt had a scientific, creative mind and would develop his own board games, chemistry concoctions and invented a unique solar-powered engine. He enjoyed building model airplanes and had a keen interest in ships and the sea. Kurt played the accordion for a time, in a nod to his partly German heritage.
Recently, he attended Inventor Creative Sessions to share his ideas and solar-powered engine plans with other scientific minds. Kurt loved to feed the birds, stray kittens, tend to his garden and visit with family, friends and neighbors. He was an avid traveler and traveled to nearly all 50 United States.
Kurtis is survived by his sister, Karon Kiffel of Milwaukee, WI; and his aunt, Norma Vite of Half Moon Bay, CA.
In addition to his parents, Kurtis was preceded in death by his brother, Kevin William Kiffel, who passed away on 9/23/2015.
Kurtis’ family expresses their profound gratitude to the nurses and staff of Compassus Hospice. In addition, the family would like to extend a heartfelt thank you for the many prayers from their family and friends.
Funeral services honoring Kurtis’s life will be held at 11:30 a.m. on Monday, July 12, 2021 at the Piasecki Funeral Home, 3720 39th Ave, Kenosha, WI 53144.
Private interment will take place in Sunset Ridge Memorial Park.
A visitation for Kurtis will be held on Monday, July 12, 2021 from 10:00 a.m. until the time of service at the funeral home.
