"I have been thinking about you and your family all week and feel so sad for the loss of your dear son Tommy. He looks so much like you Tom and brought back memories of our growing up in school together all those years ago. I can't imagine losing a child no matter what age. Bless you all and know old friends hold you in their prayers. Love, Kathy Hensen Egstad"
In loving memory of
Thomas R. 'Tommy' Kuehn
November 30, 1986 - January 13, 2011
Madison- Thomas Robert "Tommy" Kuehn, age 24 of Madison, died on Thursday, January 13, 2011, after a brief and sudden illness. He was born on November 30, 1986 at St. Mary 's Hospital in Madison, to Thomas A. and Jill (Harris) Kuehn. Tommy was currently employed as a research assistant for Dr. Benny Iskandar and Dr. Josh Medow, in the Department of Neurosurgery at University of Wisconsin Hospital and Clinics. Driven and talented, Tommy quickly became a shining star among his coworkers. This winter he was studying for his medical school exam to be taken in March. Tommy graduated in 2010 from UW-Madison with a bachelor's degree in biology. He graduated in 2005 from Stoughton High School with honors, maintaining a 4.0 GPA. He performed with the renowned Norwegian Dancers. While at UW-Madison, Tommy was a member of the UW Badger Cheerleading Squad and he enthused countless fans at Badger basketball and football games, both at home and away. Throughout high school and college, he worked at Coachman's Golf Resort in Stoughton in the pro shop. He played on the Stoughton High School golf team, and was an avid golfer and basketball player. Tommy touched our lives with his powerful and positive spirit. He shared a loving and encouraging smile to everyone he met. The many messages we have received share a common theme that Tommy was "sweet and kind," "one of the nicest guys around," "a gentleman," "amazing," "helpful," "genuine," "smart," "resourceful," "happy," "inquisitive," "fun," "caring," and "inventive." If you knew Tommy, you became a better person through knowing him. He was a great friend and will forever beloved and missed by all. The light he brought to our hearts is darkened by his loss. Tommy is survived by his parents Thomas A. and Jill (Harris) Kuehn; a sister Nicole Kuehn (Andy) Toso of Stoughton; grandparents, Thomas and Phyllis (Gunderson) Harris of Beloit; paternal aunts and uncles, Ginny (Dennis) Sheahan of Columbia, SC, Sandy (Tom) Wittmayer of Verona, Donald (Gloria) Kuehn of FortMills, SC, Judy (Michael) Lynch of Tucson, AZ, William Kuehn of Columbus, OH, James (Debby) Kuehn of Madison, Joseph (Liz) Kuehn of Madison, Mary (Joseph) Kobussen of Stoughton, Ruth (Bix) Olstadt of Verona, Charles Kuehn of Seattle, WA, Joan Kuehn of Madison, Lynn (Lawrence) Lynch of Madison: maternal aunts and uncles, Jeff (Becky) Harris of Beloit, Janet Harris of Janesville and Northampton, MA, Jay (Trisha) Harris of East Troy and Jacqueline Harris of Stoughton. He is further survived by 33 cousins, 962 Facebook friends, his favorite dog Bella, neighbors and the countless thousands of Badger fans he loved to cheer for. He was predeceased by his paternal grandparents, Catherine and Clarence Kuehn; and uncle, Robert Kuehn. Memorial Services will be held at 11 a.m. on Monday, January 17, 2011, at St. Ann's Catholic Church, Stoughton, with Monsignor Gerard Healy and Tony Schumacher officiating. Friends and relatives are invited to a luncheon immediately following the services, in the church fellowship hall. Inurnment will be held at a later date. Friends may call from 2 p.m. until 6 p.m. on Sunday, Jan. 16, 2011, at the CRESS FUNERAL HOME in Stoughton, and from 10 a.m. until time of services on Monday at the church. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials be made to the Tommy Kuehn Memorial Fund, c/o Wells Fargo, 911 West Main Street, Stoughton, WI 53589. Tommy's motto: "Think. Invent. Design."
Tributes
"Jill, Tom and Nikki.....my thoughts and prayers have been with you all the past few days. We were not able to attend Tommy's visitation or funeral, but I just wanted to let you know that I thought that Tommy was the greatest, sweetest and most beautiful person God created. I remember him as a toddler coming into your class, Jill, when I was volunteering because our son, Matt, was in your class. Even then Tommy was a joy, and he grew up the same way. We had the privilege of watching his Cheerleading career since we have season tickets to both football and basketball. Then I had the extreme pleasure of having him show up to our other son, Kyle's, last few Fourth of July parties. Tommy always was so willing to help, and was always there asking me if he could help out with cleaning up, or whatever. I had asked him several times to quit calling me Mrs. Rostowfske, and to call me Cheryl, but he always came back with Mrs. Rostowfske. That's because he was the most polite young man.....you did a GREAT job raising him. I lost a brother who was only 22, so hearing about Tommy brought back so many of those same raw emotions. I know that God has some grand plan when he takes home young people with so much promise, but I know that there are times we all struggle with what that plan really is. In Tommy's case, God must have needed the most brilliant mind and smile to brighten eternity!!!!"
"Dear Kuehn family, I am so sorry for your loss. Although I did not have the pleasure of knowing your Tommy, I do know that he was loved by many. My thoughts and prayers are with you."
"Tommy was an amazing young man, and now it's clear to me that he was so kind and friendly because of his parents. My daughter described the wake and how you ministered to each grieving young person at length, in spite of your own sorrow and exhaustion. You blessed my daughter and hundreds of others with great compassion. May God's grace be in your hearts, healing you each day. God knows your grief. He lost his son, too. "
"Dear Kuehn family: We are so saddened by the loss of Tommy. My boys were always excited to tell us about Tommy's visits to school. Carter was remembering when Tommy visited his art class and all the kids chased him around the room. It's truely amazing to see how many people's lives that Tommy had positively impacted during his time here. May God Bless and give you strength and hope knowing that you will someday be reunited, and you are in our prayers. "
"Dear Kuehn Family, May God be with you at this very difficult time. We are saddened by your loss and you all remain in our daily prayers. Tommy is now an angel on your shoulders. With Deepest Sympathy, Sherri, Bre & Morgan Hill"
"I was deeply saddened to hear of Tommy's death. I had the great pleasure of teaching Tommy in a chemistry course at the UW several years ago. My courses tend to be quite large, and I don't get the chance to get to know most of my students very well. But Tommy was a really remarkable young man, and I remember him vividly as a wonderfully engaged, curious student. Please accept my sincerest sympathies for your loss. You are in the thoughts of all of us at UW."
"There are no words to express how sorry I am to every single person that was touched by Tommy's existence. He was one of the best people I can remember from school days and I am so thankful I knew him. If only I had more time since HS ended. But such is life. Hold memories close, and those you love closer. Treasure each day. God Bless you all. RIP Tommy- you'll be forever missed and loved!"
"Debbie and family, I Am So sorry for your loss. Please accept my condolances.... "
"Jill, Tom, Mr. and Mrs. Harris, Jan, and all of Tommy's family: We had the pleasure of meeting Tommy when he came out to Oregon with Jan and Marsha to ski on Mt. Hood one year. He was happy, outgoing, and always smiling. He showed our children Reilly and Annelise some of the lifts that he did with his cheerleading partner, and patiently lifted them, again and again. They loved it. We are all so sorry, and will keep him in our prayers, always. Thinking of you, Gracie Moschel Goddard, and family"
"Tommy was a bright shining star and it was a pleasure to be his friend and neighbor for the years we lived in Stoughton. My thoughts and prayers are with all of you. My deepest condolences. Frank, Heather, Kenzie, Jack and Ethan"
"I am so sorry to read about Tommy's passing. Please accept my sympathy."
"Kuehn Family, We can not express the deep sadness we feel for you and yours. We are in disbelief over the loss of your beloved Son, Tommy . With great Sympathy . "
"Jill and Tom, on Friday my son Dan called me to share his news that a good friend, Tommy, had died suddenly. Dan graduated from UW Madison in 2005 and had studied with Tommy. Dan is in medical school, he and Tommy had been talking recently about his plans to take the MCAT and apply to Dan's university... Mom then called on Saturday to share the sudden death of Jill Harris' son, Tommy. I stopped in my tracks. Ours sons were good friends and we share a connection that I didn't realize until now. My heart is heavy for you and you are on my mind constantly. I wish you strength. God bless you all."
"Mr. and Mrs. Kuehn, I am so sorry for your loss. I wanted you to know that your son was so kind to my daughter and her roommates when they lived on Mifflin Street. I was at first very concerned about her living there until I met the young men who were so kind. Many times Tommy helped them and made their lives safer and happier as a result. Tommy had an impact on so many people. The world is a better place because Tommy Kuehn was here. Sincerely, Pat Hawley"
"I was given the gift of meeting Tommy when he was in his early teens. His kindness, humor and love for his family created a forever impression. What a blessing he was to all whose lives he touched. I know how deeply he cherished his private trips with his Aunt Jan and how she treasured their time together. And while his journey was far too short in time, the love, joy and promise he brought to this world lives forever in our hearts. He was simply the best of what this world desperately needs. My thoughts and prayers are with you, Jill, Tom, Nicole, Jan, and the Harris family. God bless and keep you close. "
"Our hearts are saddened bye the loss of your beautiful son, may God help you get through this difficult time ~ you are all in our prayers. Sending love and sympathy. Love, Lou, Fred, Judy, Carol and Janet"
"I would like to extend my deepest sympathies to the Kuehn family in the loss 'Tommy'. I did not know Tommy or his family but I know the pain you are experiencing. We lost our 17 year old son on 2/24/07 to Meningitis. My thoughts and prayers are with you and I pray you will find strength in family and friends who will help guide you through this most difficult time. With Love, Donna Knutter, www.theknutters.com"
"To Tommy's Family: I wanted to tell you how very sorry I am at the loss of your beautiful son. My husband and I lost our son, Edward Joseph Bailey to this same disease while he was a student at UW also--in 2002. Eddy and Tommy sounded a lot alike. God must call the most special angels home first. Your heart will be heavy, but eventually you will see all the love inside your heart that Tommy shared with you, and he will live on forever in your hearts and will never be forgotten. Eddy and Tommy must be on the same team, God's team, now. Phil and Gail Bailey, Jefferson, WI We are praying for you."
"Dear Tom, Jill, and family, We are stunned and saddened to hear of Tommy's death. We send our heartfelt prayers and condolences."
"Dear Tom and Jill, We are stunned and saddened at the news of Tommy's death. Our prayers are with you at this very sad time."
"Dear Jill and Family, So very sorry to hear of the unexpected loss of your dear son, Tommy. Sending heartfelt condolences along with prayers. May God hold you and sustain you. Judy Warner"
"On behalf of our family, I would like to express my deepest sympathy to all Tommy's family and friends. We were extremely fortunate to get to know Tommy initially through Wisconsin cheerleading. I will always picture Tommy on the field and on the court, standing tall and strong with his beautiful smile. His standout athletic ability was surpassed, however, by his intelligence, friendliness and kindness. He always made time to greet our family, no matter how busy he was. I always said that Tommy was the kind of son a parent would treasure. We will miss him and will keep his memory in our hearts forever."
"I was so saddened to hear of the death of your son Tommy. My family, Bill and Carol Harris told me what a wonderful young man he was. My thoughts and prayers are with all of you during this difficult time in your life. God Bless, Pat Shea"
"Tommy was a bright, positive individual who will be deeply missed by all who knew him. Our deepest sympathy to all of Tommy's family and friends. Our thoughts and prayers are with you--Your neighbors and friends, Patty, Albie, Neely, and Christine Droessler"
"Tommy- I know we hadn't hung out in the past few years but I wanted to thank you for your kind spirit, and those numerous sober rides home from bobby ark's. The class of 05' will dearly miss you.. you brought so much light into our lives. **REST IN PEACE TOMMY WE LOVE YOU AND YOU WILL ALWAYS LIVE ON IN OUR HEARTS** To Tommy's Family: Wow, you raised a great human being. Tommy was so gentle, kind and so easy to talk to. One of the smartest kids i ever knew in high school. I can't imagine your pain but just know that tommy touched so many of us and without him high school would have been a drag. He will be forever missed.. My Heart and Thoughts Are With You... "