Douglas Lefeber
June 26, 1959 - October 12, 2025
Obituary
LIVESTREAM SERVICE:
Doug's Livestream Service will begin at 11 a.m. CT on Monday, November 3, 2025. Scroll down to the Webcast section and click on "Watch Now."
MADISON - Douglas Lefeber passed away on Sunday, October 12, 2025.
Nobody is perfect. But there are those rare people who make the world a better place-people you feel lucky to know. Doug was that guy: the consummate host, the first to step up for any task, and a nurturer to the core.
Doug coached his sons-and hundreds of other kids-in three sports from preschool through middle school. He made sure everyone felt included and helped each child bring out their best. He was a true believer in the mission of the YMCA, where he volunteered and found great camaraderie, especially with his morning basketball pals. Doug also served as past president and volunteer at both the East Side Club and the Northside Business Association, where he made many dear friends. He formed lasting friendships, too, through decades of work in the insurance field.
A lifelong sports fan, Doug was especially proud of his first-place Punt, Pass & Kick trophy at age 8 or 9. He loved playing basketball until he simply couldn’t do it anymore and was a loyal fan of the Brewers, Bears, Packers, and UW teams.
As Doug’s condition worsened, we were sustained by the incredible love and support from our family and friends-we couldn’t have done it without you. We are deeply grateful to the UW Carbone Cancer Center, especially Dr. Noelle Loconte, for never giving up during Doug’s five-year battle with cancer, and to Agrace Hospice, especially Emi, for bringing comfort, relief, and even a few smiles in his final weeks.
Though Doug fought hard, he never asked “why me?” Instead, he reflected on his lifelong passion for the underdog, his love of family above all else, and the importance of hope and trust-especially in difficult times.
Doug was preceded in death by his parents, Marian and Marvin Lefeber; mother and father-in-law, Stewart and Mary Klitzman; and brother-in-law, Pat Klitzman. He is survived by his wife, Sue; sons, Greg (Sara Phillips) and Griff (Syd); and granddaughter, Nina, all of Madison. He is further survived by his brother, Dan (Cathy) and nephews, Tyler and Aaron of San Jose, Calif.; brother, Dave of Madison; sister-in-law, Nancy “Nicki” (Ed) Hoesly of New Glarus; niece, Nicole (Jeff) and their family of Dodgeville; and his faithful golden girl, Ruby.
In true Doug style, he planned his own afterlife celebration. We will celebrate Doug at THE EAST SIDE CLUB, 3735 Monona Drive, Madison, from 1 p.m. until 4 p.m. on Sunday, November 2, 2025. Please come share your Doug stories and raise a toast to a life well lived. A memorial service will be held at MESSIAH LUTHERAN CHURCH, 5202 Cottage Grove Road, Madison, at 11 a.m. on Monday, November 3, 2025. Family and friends who wish to view the service via LIVESTREAM may visit Doug’s obituary page at www.gundersonfh.com at the time of the service and click on "Watch Now" in the Webcast section. A visitation will be held at the church from 10 a.m. until the time of the service on Monday.
In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to one of the following: YMCA of Dane County (https://ymcadane.org) or checks payable to YMCA of Dane County, Agrace HospiceCare (https://agrace.org/Donate) or UW Health Carbone Cancer Center (https://give.wiscmedicine.org/give).
Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.
Gunderson East
Funeral & Cremation Care
5203 Monona Drive
(608) 221-5420