John K. Gifford

John Keith Gifford, 54, Bagley, WI, died unexpectedly from an accident at his home Saturday, January 2, 2010. John was born November 14, 1955, in Aurora, IL, and was raised on the family farm near Plano, IL. He followed his sisters and brother through Plano grade school and high school, graduating in 1973.. As the fine farm land was being swallowed up by suburban development, his dad decided time for a fresh start – cattle ranching in Southwest Wisconsin. Gradually each child migrated north to rejoin the Gifford Clan. John met his future wife, Linda, in Plano and they married in 1980 in Yorkville, IL. The couple then moved onto the ranch near Bagley where John has lived and worked ever since. They added three daughters to the clan, raising them on the family ranch. In 1993, John’s in-laws also joined the family when the suburban sprawl engulfed their home, and they made the move to  Wisconsin to join their family.

John’s favorite pastimes were enjoying the ranch and the outdoors, enduring shopping trips with his wife, and shooting pool with his buddies on the Luck of the Irish pool team.

Survivors include John’s wife, Linda, their three daughters, Loralei, Sarah Anne and Allyson, and his treasured granddaughter, Lillian. He is further survived by his mother, Frances Gifford of Bagley, WI, two sisters, Patricia (Mike) Casey of Bloomington, WI, Karlen (Lenny) Heisz of Wisconsin Dells, WI, one brother, Howard of Richland Center, WI, and many nieces and nephews, great nieces and nephews, his in-laws, Bill and Carol Batson of Bridgeport, WI, and many, many good friends.

John was predeceased by his father, Keith, Christmas 1989.

Our consolation is they are chuckling together in heaven!

Funeral services were held at  10:00 a.m. on Friday, January 8, 2010 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Bloomington with Father Bart Timmerman officiating. Burial was held in Hazelton-Flint Cemetery, Wyalusing Township. Family and friends were welcome from 3:00 until 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, January 7 at Martin Funeral Home in Bloomington and from 9:00 a.m. until time of services Friday at the church.