Timothy J. Kivela

Tim was born on July 23, 1958 in Escanaba, MI to Jack and Kathleen (Kepler) Kivela Tauch and spent his early life in Marquette, MI. He grew up making lifelong friends including the Bluff Street gang and loving all nature had to offer. After leaving Marquette, Tim moved to Washington State and later to Santa Barbara, CA. He had a successful career in sales and government security before making the decision to become a mail carrier to leave the confines of an office. In 1990, Tim decided to move back to the Midwest. He continued working for the United States Postal Service in Edina, Minnesota where he made lifelong friends. Tim retired in 2020. In 1991, Tim and Dawn Ferguson- Carranza were married. Tim and Dawn enjoyed cruises and going to their favorite lodge and cabins on the Gun Flint Trail. Tim was an avid outdoorsman and enjoyed camping, fishing and hunting with his friends from CA, along with friends from his childhood in the Upper Peninsula of MI and his brother Jon from Wyoming. He loved the U.P. and his dream was to move back someday. Tim is preceded in death by his parents; and brother-in-law, Michael Muirhead.

Survivors include his wife, Dawn; step-son, Eric Carranza (fiancé, Molly Brandt); granddaughter, Ellie Carranza; siblings, Kristine (Nick) Gualazzi, Kathleen Muirhead, and Jon Kivela; nieces Paloma Caskey, Krysta Kivela, nephew Troy Kivela. There will be a private family memorial.

Condolences can be left at: www.whitefuneralhomes.com