Superior & Summit lost a lifelong community member when Thomas Kienzle, 70, passed away on Saturday, January 25th. He spent his earliest days on the family farm in Port Wing. After moving to Superior with his family he quickly found his way into mischief in the Billings Park neighborhood and the local Catholic school—often in a way that only the baby of a family could get away with. He loved hunting rabbits & partridge for his mom. Deer season in Port Wing with his dad, brothers & nephews, Joey and Johnny, was always an annual highlight.

After graduation, he became a well-known, badass biker in the Lost Race, a chef at Cronstrom's Supper Club, and welcomed his pride and joy, Jenice, into the world with his first wife, Linda. Following in his big brothers' footsteps, he became a sheet metal worker, strong democrat & a proud union member who could build almost anything—from the metal cross hanging atop the former Essentia Building in Duluth to a backyard fish smoker. He worked for years as a journeyman with Kuettel & Sons, Jamar & Randall Brothers.

In his mid-thirties, Tom made a pivotal change in his life. He found a way to carry forward the best of himself, became sober, worked the 12 steps & then served as a guide to others on their own sobriety journeys. He moved to the Tri Lakes community, trading the biker club for the Civic Club, & became a proud member of the morning coffee 'club.' Tom—his arms covered in tattoos—now always had a miniature poodle stuck to his side, dressed up as Santa for the holidays, and soon had his weekends filled with hosting Jenice and her friends for sleepovers.

He met and fell for his beloved, darlin' Sandi, whom he just celebrated 19 years of marriage with. They traveled more, laughed often, got back to riding Harley's together, and he embraced new hobbies like bobcat and turkey hunting. His family expanded, and he became a grandpa and "Grumpa," attending sporting events, school concerts, family vacations, and teaching the important things in life—like how and where to fish.

Through it all, Tom was loyal, consistent, comical, spiritual, and deeply loved. The mischievous gleam in his eye, present since childhood, remained even through physical limitations, pain, and medical challenges. The sparkle could still be seen when he shared colorful stories, received a hug from a loved one, or when Sandi baked or brought him a cup of coffee.

He was kind to many, a friend to most, a mentor to countless & beloved by an immeasurable number of friends & family. He was preceded in death by his father and mother, Nick and Rose Kienzle; and his siblings, Jim, Nick, Fran and Rosie.

He is survived by his darlin' wife, Sandi Kienzle; sister, Nancy (Mike Starcevich); brother, Joe Kienzle; daughter, Jenice (Mike, Dylan & Madeline) Meyer; stepsons, Travas (Lisa, Noah & Nathan), Gavin (Addison, Brandon & Jordyn), and Clinton (Iden, Maylee & Miles) Aker; sisters-in-law, Cookie (Jeff) Wallgren & Pat Wellberg; and brother-in-law, Chet Snydle; numerous nieces and nephews; his lifelong friend, Kevin; his best bud, Marlo; and Amanda and Jake, an adopted duo, who he also loved dearly.

Please join us to share memories and celebrate his life on his birthday, Saturday, June 28th from 12-3pm at the Tri Lakes Civic Club, 7872 County Road A, Superior. Tom will take his final Harley ride with his Lost Race brothers, concluding the day at the Port Wing pier.