Thomas Anthony Kussmaul

First Sunrise, August 2, 1989, Boscobel, Wisconsin. Thomas was welcomed into the world by his big sister Heather, becoming best friends and each other’s confidants. He wrestled through high school, played football, and participated in cross country. Tom graduated from Boscobel High School one year ahead of his class. During his late teens, he was injured in an accident that left him partially disabled, and this took a toll on his remaining years, both physically and mentally. He suffered loneliness, fear, and familial rejection. Pain medication turned addiction, leading to street drugs. Today we rejoice in his sobriety of 3 years, 8 months clean. He made it and would tell anyone, it was 1000X worth it. Thomas was kindhearted, spoke only of love and admiration for his grandma Nancy, great-grandma Bernadine. Thomas started working at a very young age in the fruit orchards, farming, and later, customer service at American Customer Care. Tom had recently relocated to the Madison area, spending much time with his “momma,” shopping, growing plants, and preparing new recipes. Thomas had a love for music, connecting with Jelly Roll and playing the song “Save Me” on repeat. He enjoyed fishing, hunting, camping, hiking, and gardening. His dream was to travel, with the plan to return this fall to Tennessee where he had already mapped out his hikes. He had secured his own apartment, with a move-in date just one day after his passing.  

Final Sunset, September 2, 2022. Thomas was found deceased on a Madison east side bike trail where he had lost footing and slipped down an embankment and into a culvert. He is survived by his mother, Stephanie Dibble (Frank R. McLaughlin) Stoughton, Wis.; his father, Mark Kussmaul, Bloomington, Wis.; a sister, Heather, Chippewa Falls; half siblings, Amber, Ryan, Leah, and Bradyn; nephew, Malakai; niece, Jazmine; grandparents, Charles and Nancy Eckert, Boscobel, Mary Kussmaul, Bloomington; and aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends. He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Alvin and Bernadine Lull, James Kussmaul, Glen Rogers, and Uncle Brian.

8/2/1989 - 9/2/2022, Thomas was just discovering his dash. The family plans to carry out his dreams of travel and love for the outdoors. A celebration of life will be held at a later date where family will be sharing his cremains with the earth, in some of his most beloved locations near Woodman, and along the Mississippi River.

THE DASH

I read of a man who stood to speak
At the funeral of a friend
He referred to the dates on the tombstone
From the beginning...to the end

He noted that first came the date of birth
And spoke the following date with tears,
But he said what mattered most of all
Was the dash between those years

For that dash represents all the time

That they spent alive on earth.

And now only those who loved them

Know what that little line is worth

For it matters not, how much we own,

The cars...the house...the cash.

What matters is how we live and love

And how we spend our dash.

So, think about this long and hard.

Are there things you'd like to change?

For you never know how much time is left

That can still be rearranged.

If we could just slow down enough

To consider what's true and real

And always try to understand

The way other people feel.

And be less quick to anger

And show appreciation more

And love the people in our lives

Like we've never loved before.

Gunderson East
Funeral & Cremation Care
5203 Monona Drive
(608) 221-5420