Tamara Stevens

Tamara Kiefer Stevens, age 63, of Altura, Minnesota, died on December 26, 2018 at The Waters on Mayowood, in Rochester, Minnesota, after a long battle with Alzheimer's disease.

She was born June 10, 1955, in Jamestown, North Dakota, to Don and Vivian Kiefer of Warwick, North Dakota.

Tam's family moved to Grand Meadow, Minnesota, in 1970, where she graduated high school in 1973. She attended Luther College, and after she and Gene were engaged, she transferred to Winona State University and earned her BS degree, graduating with honors in Nursing.
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Tamara was united in marriage to Gene Stevens on June 12, 1976, at Grand Meadow Lutheran Church.

Tam worked as a Registered Nurse for 31 years in various capacities, during which 28 were as a public health nurse for Winona and Olmsted counties. Tamara was also the Church organist for fifteen years at St. Anthony's Parish, in Altura, Minnesota.

Tamara loved classical music, running, waterfowl and upland bird hunting, sewing, cooking (favoring traditional Norwegian classics), and especially her kitties that she rescued, and her Labrador retriever. Throughout her life, Tam remained faithful to God, her husband, and her friends. She will be remembered for her kindness and cheerfulness, including her spontaneous and endearing laughter. Gene and Tam were blessed in the devotion they shared for each other throughout their marriage, and that devotion to each other was especially evidenced in these last few years.

Tam was preceded in death by her parents Vivian and Don Kiefer, sisters Pam Kiefer, Donna O'Meara, Linda Spence, and Marilyn Hattelstad. She is survived by her husband Gene, sister Julie Kiefer-Bell, and brother Kevin Kiefer.

The Funeral Mass for Tamara will begin at 10:00 am on Monday, December 31at St. Anthony's Catholic Church in Altura with the Reverend Glenn Frerichs officiating. Burial will follow in St. Mary's Cemetery at Oak Ridge. The wake will be held at St. Anthony's Catholic Church on Sunday, December 30, 2018 from 3:00 pm until 6:00 pm. Please share a memory of Tamara and view her video tribute, when it becomes available, at www.hofffuneral.com. Hoff Funeral Service of Lewiston is assisting the family with arrangements.
In lieu of flowers, memorials will be directed to selected humane societies.
Blessed be her memory!