Obit: Kiviko, John M. (1954 - 2018)

Transcriber: Robert Lipprandt
bob@wiclarkcountyhistory.org 

Surnames: Anderson, Bodendorfer, Chapman, Hitzeman, Kiviko, Kruger, Miller, Smart

----Source: Life Tributes Funeral Home (Spencer, WI) 11/02/2018

Kiviko, John M. (25 JAN 1954 - 28 OCT 2018)

John M. Kiviko, 64, of Palm Coast, Florida; formerly of Spencer, WI, passed away peacefully in his home in Palm Coast, FL on Sunday, October 28, 2018 after battling glioblastoma.

A memorial service will be held at 4 PM on Saturday, November 17, 2018 at Life Tributes Funeral Home in Spencer. Rev. Mark Kruger will officiate. A time of visitation will be held from 1PM until time of services.

John was born on January 25, 1954 in Marshfield, the son of William Kiviko and Lila Kiviko and his step-mom, Lucy (Anderson) Kiviko. He attended Spencer High School, where he met and dated Linda Bodendorfer. After high school, John joined the Army National Guard and served from June 1973-June 1979. After taking different paths after high school, he crossed paths again with Linda at the age of 42. They later got married in a small private ceremony in New Smyrna Beach, Fl on April 5, 2009 and spent 22 beautiful years together.

John’s employment included a Service Manager position at Liberty Homes in Dorchester and as a Support Relief worker at Land O’Lakes in Spencer, Wis.

He loved spending time with his family, going to the beach, and if you knew John, you knew that he had an amazing love for vehicles of any kind. Over his lifetime, he was known to have bought, sold, and/or restored 100’s of vehicles. One of his last was transporting a Model T from Spencer, WI to Florida in September 2017. He did this with his step-son, Branden, and they drove straight through to Florida in 27 hours. It will be a treasured trip for Branden for many years to come.

John is survived by his wife, Linda of Palm Coast, Fl whom he shared 22 beautiful years with; his son, Branden (Heather) Bodendorfer; his brother, Roger (Sharon) Kiviko of Phoenix, Arizona; his sisters, Joyce Miller of Cincinnati, Ohio, Lila (Ken) Chapman of Wausau, and Karen (Frank) Hitzeman of Phoenix, Arizona; his grandchildren, Arianah and Bentley, who he loved dearly; along with other relatives, friends and co-workers.

He is preceded in death by his parents, William and Lila Kiviko; his step-mom, Lucy Kiviko; his sister, Sally Smart; his brother, Jerry Kiviko; and his sister, Lois Anderson.

The family would like to thank a dear friend, Sher, for helping at this difficult time. Thank you!

His arrangements are under the care of Life Tributes Funeral Home-Spencer.

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