Obit: Tomfohrde, Kelly Carol -A1C (1992 - 2015)

Contact: Robert Lipprandt
bob@wiclarkcountyhistory.org 

Surnames: Blum, Karl, Tomfohrde, Weiler

----Source: The Marshfield News Herald (Marshfield, WI) 4/19/2015

Tomfohrde, A1C Kelly Carol (30 DEC 1992 - 5 APR 2015)

Airman 1st Class Kelly Carol Tomfohrde, 22, of Auburndale, WI, died April 5, 2015, while deployed in Okinawa, Japan.

Visitation will take place at Auburndale High School on Tuesday, April 21, 4 -8 PM. Kelly's life will be celebrated in an 11:00 AM service with full military honors at Northridge Church in Marshfield on Wednesday, April 22, with visitation an hour prior to service. Interment will be at Hillside Cemetery.

Kelly was born December 30, 1992 to Tim and Lisa (Weiler) Tomfohrde. She attended Auburndale Elementary School and graduated with honors from Auburndale High School in 2011. Kelly was a student at the University of Wisconsin La Crosse, pursuing a degree in the Exercise Sports Science Program (ESS).

In July of 2013, Kelly graduated from basic training at Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio, TX. She graduated as a tactical aircraft mechanic on F-16's at Sheppard AFB, TX in December 2013. She was assigned to the Wisconsin Air National Guard's Madison-based 115th Fighter Wing and served as a valued airman and was an esteemed member of her Crew Chief team.

She and approximately 250 Airmen and 12 F-16 Fighting Falcons comprised the 176th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron which was deployed to Kadena in January in support of the Pacific Command region with forces capable of a variety of operations. She received the following Air Force awards and decorations: AF Longevity Service Award; AF Training Ribbon; AF Outstanding Unit Award; Air Reserve Force Meritorious Service Medal; Armed Forces Reserve Medal (1 Device); Global War on Terrorism Service Medal and National Defense Service Medal.

She was selected by her supervision as Airman of the Quarter for the third quarter in 2014 and a Superior Performer for her work at Kadena AB. She was awarded the Air Force Achievement Medal posthumously.

Kelly loved the game of basketball, participating at Auburndale from 5th grade on, helping her teams to win many tournaments and championships. She was awarded the honor of being selected to play in the 2011 WBCA All Star Game - Division 4. She received numerous other sports and scholastic awards, as well. She was a three-time place winner at the State competition for pole vaulting. After high school, she continued her athletic prowess while on the rugby team in college.

Kelly was an inspiration to everyone around her and had a contagious sense of enthusiasm. Her thirst for adventure was quenched by recent deployments to Eielson AFB, Alaska and Kadena AB, Okinawa, Japan. She also traveled extensively, having gone on a month-long adventure last May, visiting Ireland, Germany, Holland, England, Spain, Italy and Portugal. She had further travel plans scheduled in the States and abroad after she returned from her deployment.

She is lovingly survived by her father and mother; two sisters, Melissa and Jessica; her paternal grandparents, Ron and Carol Tomfohrde; and her maternal grandmother, Janet Weiler. She is further survived by her aunts and uncles: Debbie Tomfohrde, Terri Tomfohrde; Dan (Tami) Tomfohrde; Jim (Cathy) Tomfohrde; Shirley (Ken) Karl; Mike (Joann) Weiler; Perry (Linda) Weiler; David (Connie) Weiler; Linda Blum; Dan (Lori) Weiler; Alan Weiler; and Jamie (Nicole) Weiler. Twenty-six cousins and twenty-one second cousins will miss her dearly, as well.

She was predeceased by her grandfather, James Weiler; an aunt, Wanda Weiler and an uncle, Phil Blum.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions will be graciously accepted in Kelly's name for a memorial/scholarship yet to be established. Condolences may be sent online to www.rembsfh.com 

Kelly was an inspiration to everyone she touched. She will be forever loved and missed. A heart of gold stopped beating. Two shining eyes at rest. God broke our hearts to prove He only takes the best.