Jeffrey T. Spielman was born in Windom, MN on December 8, 1952, he died at the age of 61 on November 19, 2014 of a heart attack.

Jeffrey (Jeff) was raised in small town Windom, MN where he discovered his roots in service from his family’s Plumbing and Heating business.  He was a collegiate three sport letter winner and completed his Master’s Degree at South Dakota State University.  He then began a fifteen year career as a head college basketball coach where he enjoyed three co-conference championships and two runner-up finishes.  During this time he was the youngest President ever of the twenty-six member Wisconsin Junior College Athletic Association (WJCAA).    

Coach Spielman left coaching to concentrate on his family.  In June 2000, he started working as a Special Gifts Officer at Buena Vista University in Storm Lake, IA.  This started his exceptional career as a project fundraiser that continued on to the College of Veterinary Medicine at Iowa State University, then College of Veterinary Medicine at Purdue, and finally as the Director of Advancement at the University of Minnesota College of Biological Sciences. 

Jeff had a love of life and his sense of humor was always abundant.  He had a gift of making everyone feel welcome, unique and could talk to anyone.  His greatest joy was watching his kids play sports and later watching Jessie and Alex coaching basketball, the same sport he loved.  He and AJ loved to play golf together, especially trying to one up each other on every hole.  Jeff reminded him frequently of his two holes in one, compared to AJ’s none.  One of his greatest joys was also talking about his beloved grandchildren.  Jeff had a special relationship with each one of his grandchildren, which if you knew him you probably heard all about them. 

Jeff will remain in the hearts of his children, Jessica (Tyler) Reimer, A.J. (Melissa) Spielman, and Alex Spielman.  Especially his grandchildren D.J. Reimer, Haley, Leila, and Paxton Spielman; mother, Evelyn Spielman; siblings, Beth (Joe) Vossen, Kerry (Ken) Chadee, and Mike (Brenda) Spielman; nieces; nephews; and other relatives and friends.  He was preceded in death by his infant sister, and his father Albert Spielman.

A Memorial Service to honor Jeff will be held at 4pm on Sunday, November 23, 2014 at the O’Connell Family Funeral Home, 520 S 11th St., Hudson, WI. A gathering of family and friends will be held from 2-4pm on Sunday, at the funeral home. Jeff has been cremated, and a private family burial will take place at a later date in Spencer, IA.

In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to the South Dakota State University Men’s Basketball Service.  All cards, condolences and donations can be sent to his daughter Jessica at 337 Montgomery Lane, Glenview IL 60025.