Patricia "Pk" Kiefer

1941 - 2025

PK completed her 84-year earthly life and has gone ahead of us to her eternal reward with Jesus in heaven.

Patricia "PK" McCaffrey Kiefer passed away peacefully, with her husband and daughter by her side, early the morning of Monday, October 27, 2025, following seven months at home with hospice care. She was surrounded by beloved family and members of her church small group the night before. We believe their messages of love and prayers helped ease PK's passing.

PK was born January 10, 1941, in Chicago, IL, to Bonnie Mitchell McCaffrey (later Reiff) and Vincent McCaffrey. The family relocated to New York, where she grew up in Brooklyn and Long Island. As a kid she loved swimming, all things related to horses & dancing the jitterbug. A towering 5'2" she played basketball for her high school team.

She leaves behind her loving husband Rich Kiefer; son Steve King (Denise); daughter Deb King Ochs (Tom); stepdaughters Joy Tunnell & Kimberly Law; stepson Eric Kiefer; grandchildren Sophie & Lydia Ochs; Parker King; Zachary & Gabrielle Tunnell; Masyn Law; great-grandson Zachary Balog; as well as big sister Kathleen Shelden & stepsister Cathy Patterson. PK was preceded in death by her parents & stepparents; sister Chris; and granddaughter Zoe.

PK married her first husband in 1960 and had two children. The family relocated to Boulder, Colorado in 1967. Following PK's divorce she blossomed into a hard-working, independent, single mother to Steve & Deb. PK worked to build her career from secretary to computer operator, then programmer to manager of software engineering.

Several years later PK met Rich at work where he made a strong first impression (ask for the full story!). Rich was a single father of three young children. PK was adamant she only wanted to be friends - as her own kids were nearly grown. Her heart was won the night 4-year-old Eric snuggled into her lap and fell asleep. They merged their two families in June 1979. Rich and PK's extraordinary story of love and devotion lasted 47 years.

An active woman, she was a racewalker, rollerblader, motorcycle rider and a natural dancer. PK was astounded Rich had two left feet and no rhythm. Being fearless and spunky, PK challenged the 6'2" CEO of billion-dollar tech company StorageTek to a racquetball game. She wanted to convince him to include racquetball courts in the new rec center. He begged her, "Please let me hit just ONE ball!" The courts were added.

Together PK & Rich went on many white-water raft trips on the raft they co-owned. Their travel adventures took them to Europe, Brazil, New Zealand, and Australia. In 2001, they left Colorado for Massachusetts, then moved to Illinois in 2008 to be closer to family.

PK's granddaughter Lydia writes, "PK had a warm and magnetic energy, always able to connect with the people around her, whether it be a waitress, a nearby toddler, or nurse. She was curious about people and formed instant connections with strangers. Her curiosity led her to many hobbies and skills, and she also was an excellent teacher. She guided her grandchildren through creative art projects; taught line dancing and race walking; studied tap-dancing, Tai Chi, bass guitar, and ASL." A talented calligrapher, she gifted her beautiful artwork, illustrations, and handcrafted cards to many loved ones.

With a positive attitude and amazing resilience, PK chose to smile in the face of cancer and subsequent health challenges. She was given the nickname Gramma Timex - because she could "take a lickin' and keep on tickin'." While in physical therapy to rebuild strength after breaking her hip, you could see PK and her therapist laughing while step-step-turn, step-step-turning between the parallel bars. She was teaching her therapist to line dance!

In the early 80s, PK accepted Jesus as her savior and went to church for a year before Rich and the younger kids joined her. She traveled to Jerusalem and was baptized in the River Jordan. Together, Rich and PK led small groups; went on mission trips to Joplin, MO following the tornado; Uganda to build an orphan home; and Granada to work with a local church. She combined her love of sign language, dance & worship songs into a ministry she called "Praise Expressions" which was shared with local nursing home residents, and in the aisle during church services.

PK's love for Jesus showed as she lavished love and her beautiful smile on everyone. When anyone would ask her how she was, she would invariably reply, "I'm Blessed!" There could be no doubt it was not a shallow, sound-good reply, but a deeply felt life statement! Now she is truly blessed, as she expected to crawl up the great throne into God's lap as soon as she got to heaven. We're sure she then jumped down and is dancing with the Lord.

We are grateful for the exceptional care and guidance provided by Transitions. A special thank you to nurse Sam, nurse Nicole, and especially CNA Ahniya. You helped make PKs last months comfortable and joyful. Thank you for treating PK with such gentle, loving care and dignity. We are so thankful for you and the rest of the care team.

PK continues to share her gifts, as she donated her body to science. She will be participating in medical research.

There will be a Celebration of Life on her birthday, January 10, 2026, from 2-4:30 p.m. at The ARC in Normal. To honor the gift her life was to us all, please wear something that reminds you of PK. Hats and sparkles are encouraged.

Donations in PK's memory may be made to Vale Church, Bloomington; or Susan G. Komen for breast cancer research (komen.org/donate).

"Well done good and faithful servant."