KVEDER, Thomas “Tom”

KVEDER THOMAS “TOM” KVEDER, of Lethbridge, passed away unexpectedly, on Monday, September 21, 2026 at the age of 72 years.
Tom was born in Lethbridge on June 27, 1954, the second born and oldest son of Paul and Antonia (Tonie) Kveder.
Tom was a modern-day renaissance man with wide knowledge and many skills in different subjects. His parents, uncle, and aunt, inspired his love of nature and fostered his curiosity of the world at an early age.
Tom studied at Olds College graduating from the Horticulture program in 1981. It was here that Tom met his wife and life partner Sheila, whom he eventually impressed with his enthusiasm, tenacity, and tenderness. Together, they started Aurora Environmental Concepts, a landscape and design business. They enjoyed camping, roadtripping, and gardening in their backyard greenhouse. Residents of the west side of Lethbridge may be familiar with their pink “Bedding Plants for Sale” signs every May.
Tom was hired to the Lethbridge Research Centre by Dr. Ken Richards as a technician, and later became the manager of the Greenhouse Complex and Phytotrons. He helped foster community by organizing pumpkin carving contests and Thanksgiving turkey runs to raise money for charity, and managed the award winning grounds.
Tom was a talented artist, delving into drawing, drafting, ceramics, leatherwork, carpentry, model-building, and more. The piece of art Tom was most proud of was his award winning 1952 Chevrolet Truck that he and Sheila restored with the help of many friends.
Tom was fearless: he raced stock trucks, dove headfirst from 50 ft cliffs, flew ultralight planes, and pruned towering trees. Most of all, he was never afraid to stand up for what he believed in. He would go out of his way to encourage those in his circle to always take chances, to chase their dreams, and to try new things. When Tom needed to slow down, he could be found driving rural roads to the mountains, forests, rivers, lakes, and prairies that filled his soul.
Tom loved his children Riley and Ocean, and welcomed their partners into the family. Tom was the father who could fix anything, provide guidance, answer any question, and find creative solutions. He loved unconditionally, and supported their dreams, inspiring their love of art, nature, and thirst for knowledge.
Despite Health Challenges, Tom maintained a positive attitude, his unrelenting optimism inspired those around him. When asked how he was doing, Tom’s reply was always “better than yesterday, not as good as tomorrow”. He was dearly loved and will be deeply missed.
Tom was predeceased by his parents, Paul and Antonia “Tonie” Kveder, Uncle Frank and Aunt Antonia Sifrer who lived next door, parents-in-law Roy and Jean Wheatcroft, sister-in-law Anne Bokovay, and brother-in-laws John Armstrong and Colin Bokovay.
He leaves behind a legacy of love and laughter through his wife, Sheila; his children, Riley (Jayme) and Ocean (Kit); his siblings Alenka (Dave) Hamilton, Leila (Pie) Lavorato, Greg Kveder and Tobi Horon, and Andrea Kveder; sister-in-law Susan Armstrong, brother-in-law Tommy Wheatcroft; and his deeply loved nieces and nephews, Jennifer, Ashley (Tony), Lauren, Mark (Brooklyn) and daughter Georgia, Aaron (Cheryl) and daughter Rio, Logan (Stacey), Melissa and daughter Isla, Emily, Daryl (Megan) and daughter Arya, Grant (Shalayne) and sons Oliver and Griffin, David (Radka), Sandra and daughter Brooke, Michelle, and Ethan; Susan Johnson, the Sifrer cousins who were like siblings, and many other close friends.
A Celebration of Tom’s life will be held at the SANDMAN SIGNATURE LETHBRIDGE LODGE – 320 Scenic Drive South, Lethbridge, AB on Thursday, October 1, 2026 at 1:00 P.M. with Patrick Siedlecki officiating.
In lieu of flowers, please donate to the Canadian Cancer Society (cancer.ca), or Skipping Stone Foundation (skippingstone.ca)

To send a condolence, please visit www.cornerstonefuneralhome.com