Obit: Gifford, Dale Lloyd (1950 - 2018)

Transcriber: Robert Lipprandt
bob@wiclarkcountyhistory.org 

Surnames: Gifford, Holdcoft, Jordan

----Source: The Ladysmith News (Ladysmith, WI) 6/25/2018

Gifford, Dale Lloyd (30 MAY 1950 - 22 JUN 2018)

Dale Lloyd Gifford, 68, passed away peacefully on Friday, June 22, 2018 in his home in Libertyville, Ill. after a brief and valiant fight with cancer. He was surrounded by family as he moved on to continue his work for The Kingdom of God.

Dale was born on May 30, 1950, in Ladysmith, to the late Wilfred and Priscilla Gifford. He attended Ladysmith High School and was the valedictorian of the Class of 1968. He studied actuarial science at University of Wisconsin-Madison. While a student, he married his high school sweetheart Becky (Jordan) Gifford on Dec. 19, 1970. In May of 1972, he graduated and embarked on a career doing what he loved.

He started as an actuary at Hewitt Associates in the summer of 1972 and remained there until his retirement in 2006. During those years, he served in a variety of roles, including manager in the actuarial group, Southwest region manager, Midwest region manager and manager of Hewitt International offices.

In 1992, Dale was appointed as the third chief executive of Hewitt Associates, and when Hewitt went public in June 2002, Dale became the chairman of the Hewitt Board as well as CEO — both positions he held until his 2006 retirement.

Throughout Dale's professional tenure he was regarded as a bright, humble leader who always made time for those around him. These traits carried over to Dale's philanthropic endeavors as well, where he mentored and developed countless leaders while serving on boards to several Christian organizations.

During his retirement, Dale stayed very active enjoying time with family and friends, seeing the world and continuing to serve in several ministries. His interests were vast and he focused his time, talents and treasure in places he felt he could have the most impact, including five years in an executive pastor role. He also had a special place in his heart for children who lacked access to quality education and healthcare and was committed to do what he could to help.

In recognition of this, the family is asking in lieu of flowers for contributions to be made to Oasis for Orphans, an organization that deeply touched Dale and his family. Contributions towards the Dale Gifford Memorial Fund will be used to provide quality education and healthcare to orphans in the southwest region of Kenya.

Dale is survived by his wife, Becky; his children, Scott (Jennifer), Derek (Ariele) and Kristen Holdcoft (David); his grandchildren, Mitchell, Allyson, Jacob, Nathan, Harrison, Kinsie, Bailey and Kelson; and his sister, Kathleen.

He was preceded in death by his sister, Sandra; and his parents, Wilfred and Priscilla.

A celebration of life will be at 10 a.m. on Friday, July 27 at Christ Church, 100 Waukegan Road, Lake Forest, IL. Interment will be at Lakeside Cemetery in Libertyville.

Arrangements made by Burnett-Dane Funeral Home in Libertyville.

For information, call 847-362-3009.

To share a memory go to www.burnettdane.com  or visit www.dalegiffordmemorial.com.