Help Family Left to Deal with an Unthinkable Loss

When star quarterback Kent Kiefer met campus beauty Melissa Cline at the University of Missouri in 1988, he had no idea how beautiful, inspiring and tragic their love story would turn out to be. Roughly halfway into their nearly 30-year marriage – and with four amazing kids (Konnor 22, Kyler 20, Kenna & Kayla 16) – Kent’s “Sweet Missy” as he lovingly referred to her, was diagnosed with serious debilitating and life threatening illnesses. The news of Missy’s passing on November 14, 2021 has sent a shockwave through the community and to all of those who were privileged to know her… but the impact of her loss on Kent and his four kids is immeasurable.

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Out of love, courage and steadfast devotion to his beloved wife right up to the very end, Kent has literally exhausted everything he’s had over the last 15 years trying to help get her the care she’s needed for diseases that ranged from early on-set Parkinson’s to Lyme and other major complications – and to make matters worse, their oldest son Konnor was also diagnosed with Lyme Disease during the middle of all this (Note: Lyme Disease treatments were not covered by health insurance). Not only has Kent depleted his financial resources, spending hundreds of thousands of dollars over the years and running up significant medical debt in order to exhaust every possible solution in desperation of finding a cure – he has also exhausted himself emotionally and physically working overtime in caring for her, taking on extra responsibilities around the house and with the kids, all while working full time leading a successful global Christian Ministry.

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As the family begins their healing process, they face years of mounting debt as well as several recent expenses, including large medical, surgical and hospital balances, counseling, funeral expenses, etc. – not to mention the cost of sending the kids to college (which is what Missy wanted).

Kent has dedicated his life to loving God and ministering to others - most notably at home with his wife and kids and at work with Scriptures in Use. It’s now time for all of us to join together to minister to Kent by giving back to him in his greatest time of need – which will relieve a tremendous amount of stress and pressure and allow the family to heal as well as send them a powerful message of love and encouragement as they enter the holidays (and their upcoming 30th wedding anniversary on Jan 4th).