David Kivela Obituary

David August Kivela died on August 19, 2025, at Hooverwood nursing home in Indianapolis after a long illness. He was born to Sulo and Violet Kivela in Kenosha, Wisconsin, on November 23, 1943. He graduated from Mary D. Bradford High School in 1962, then earned two history degrees from the University of Wisconsin, Madison. He married Mary Claire Keul, also of Kenosha, on July 23, 1966.

He taught two years at Culver Military Academy, then moved to Indianapolis and taught high-school history for 39 years at Park Tudor School. There he also volunteered with the athletic department and co-sponsored the Brain Game team, winning eight championships. He greatly enjoyed driving a forklift while working 18 summers (1973-1991) in the warehouse at Addison-Wesley Publishing Company.

David also worked as a Democratic Precinct Committeeman for many years. He loved sports and was a huge fan of the Green Bay Packers and University of Wisconsin sports teams. He also was a dedicated runner, completing numerous Mini-Marathons and one full marathon. He spent many happy hours on the golf course, and was especially proud of making a hole-in-one in 2015. The month of May always found him at the Speedway delighting in practices, qualifying, and the 500. Several times a year he took Mary and the children on trips to Wisconsin, which he always considered home.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his sister-in-law Bonnie Hay, and brother-in-law Robert Keul. Survivors include his wife, Mary, daughter Laura (Rod Schroeder) of Indianapolis, son James of North Aurora, IL, grandson Erik Kivela of Minneapolis, sister-in-law Jan Keul of Phoenix, and brother-in-law Dan Hay of Plano, TX.

The family is grateful to the staffs who cared for David the past nine years at Hooverwood, Creekside, The Forum, and Marquette. David’s celebration of life will be held at the Hooverwood Living social hall, 7001 Hoover Road, on September 8 from 6:00-8:00. Donations may be made to the George L. Mosse Program in History at the University of Wisconsin.