Douglas Dean Kiefer

Dec. 26, 1934  –  March 16, 2025 

Douglas Dean Kiefer

Doug passed away peacefully on March 16, in Kirkland, Washington after years of dealing courageously with unrelenting dementia.  Doug enjoyed the constant love and support of family and kind caregivers throughout his decline. 

Doug was born December 26, 1934, to Violet and Jack Kiefer, in Seattle, WA.  He grew up in the Laurelhurst neighborhood in Seattle with his only sibling, brother Bud, who was 5 years older.    

Doug graduated from Roosevelt High School, after which he joined the Army.  His basic training was at Fort Lewis, then was stationed in Frankfurt Germany for 18 months. While there, he typed travel documents for the Officers in a retired, Nazi Officers building, used during WW2.  He marveled at the old decor, the continually moving elevators that they jumped on and off to move between floors. During that time, he took every opportunity to travel, soak up the culture and develop an appreciation for wine.  

After 2 years in the Army, Doug came home with a souvenir, an Isetta (an Italian designed microcar) which he took with him to Central Washington University in Ellensburg, WA.   During college, he met some lifelong friends, one of which, was a very special and social young lady named Karole Foss.  Careful to steer the women away from Doug, Karole enjoyed playing matchmaker to her many college friends and Doug’s roommates, resulting in 4 lifelong matches.  Doug and Karole left school for their own successful marriage in 1959, settling in the Juanita area of Kirkland to start a family with a unique car collection. 

Doug’s early careers were many; he leased a gas & car repair station on the shore of Lake Washington in Juanita, across from the old Kieffer’s (no relation) grocery store, he was a door-to-door Milkman for the Carnation Co. out of University Village, a sales representative for Pitney Bowes, Allstate, Richmark, was self-employed as a wholesale (Bader’s) cookie supplier and eventually returned to Carnation.  He got his semi-truck license to become a wholesale milk deliverer, then became the foreman and the new hire trainer.  He retired at 62, last driving for Darigold.   

Shortly after retirement, Doug suffered a mild heart attack and had a few stents installed.  He then became a staunch follower of Dr. Dean Ornish’s Program for Reversing Heart Disease.  Doug’s heart Doctor told Doug that he never had such a disciplined patient stick to healthy eating and consistent exercise and was thrilled to see Doug’s success. Doug’s original stents lasted the rest of his life, and he never suffered from another heart attack.  Due to electrical issues, he did have to get a pacemaker, however (his self titled “best friend”)!   

Doug enjoyed being active in retirement.   He loved listening to Jazz, reciting his beloved Ken Nordine’s “word jazz” and telling (mostly) bad jokes.  He and Karole worked well together and were successful remodeling and building any project they put their minds to. Together they maintained their few rental properties, remodeled houses, a cabin, built fences, landscape lighting or clever utility covers, built garden benches for Karole’s Philanthropy for the Washington Park Arboretum Foundation, the Bellevue Botanical Garden and the Chase Garden.  He and Karole looked after their elders, lucky to live long lives; his mother Violet, his aunt Cleora Beim and his father-in-law Marion Foss.  Doug traveled to Canada with ‘the boys’ to fish, he traveled to Alaska, helping his son-in-law with his business.  Doug and Karole often frequented Hawaii with extended friends and family and took a few adventurous trips to Europe.  One included renting a sailboat with 2 other couples in Croatia during the end of the Serbo-Croation War.  Despite observing the unfortunate signs of conflict and some military presence they really enjoyed the people they met, learning how to park a boat stern to dock and eating the wonderful seafood and wine.  One night they closed a marina restaurant down with a Limerick showdown between Doug and a table of English tourists. The one Rick Steeve’s tour they took with his brother Bud and his wife Wilma, continued, despite the unfortunate timing during which 911 happened.   

In his later years, Doug suffered from short term memory loss.  At first it was mild and with Karole’s care Doug was able to live at home with normal activities for many years. He continued walking the neighborhood, helping Karole maintain their lovely home and garden, enjoying a little wine with a neighbor, eating an oatmeal cookie.  He could start a joke, and we’d eventually finish it for him, but his desire to share a laugh with you, never ceased.  With his increasing memory loss came his need for extra care.  Doug and Karole moved into a senior care home, one month before COVID shut everything down.  Doug and Karole settled in together at Bridle Trails Senior Care Home in Kirkland, WA. His final years were filled with much kindness from the caregivers at Bridle Trails Senior Care Home in Kirkland, who watched over him daily.  We are also thankful for the helpful staff with Evergreen Health Hospice Care Center. 

Doug is survived by his wife Karole, of 65 years, daughters Whitni and Ericka; sons-in-law Mike Funsinn and Mike Scholz; grandchildren Sydney, Sam, Walther, Kai and Savannah; greatgrandchildren Quinn and Reid and numerous nieces, nephews and great nieces and nephews.  Doug was preceded in death by his parents Jack and Violet Kiefer, his brother Bud and his wife Wilma Kiefer. 

If you knew Doug or his family, please join us for his Celebration of Life.   

Saturday, August 2, 2025.  10:30a.m.-1p.m. 

Our Lady of the Lake Catholic Church
3520 N.E. 89th Street
Seattle, WA 98115