Ingrid Kiefer

Ingrid Hilda Lackus was born 28 October 1950 in Forst, Germany the daughter of Helmut and Rhinehilda Lackus. She grew up and attended schools in the city of Forst, living her childhood in a small two story house with her parents and grandparents. After completing her high school education she attended a technical school. She then went to work for the Siemens Electrical Company in Bruschsal, Germany assembling circuit cards.

She later moved to Karlsruhe, Germany where she began her journey with the food service industry working in several restaurants in the Karlsruhe area. In one restaurant that was in the Karlsruhe train station she and another person would unknowingly meet for the first time, her future husband, Richard, who was just arriving as a brand new Soldier for his first duty station in Germany. She helped him and a group of others with a few pfennigs to make a phone call to their new units. He thanked her for the help and they parted ways.

In July 1975 Ingrid and Richard would meet again at the Karlsruhe German-American Volksfest via one of his friends who had a date set up with Ingrid but he could not make the date so Richard went in his place. On 19 December 1975 Ingrid and Richard were married in Karlsruhe, Germany, a marriage that lasted over 47 years. On 16 August 1977 their first son Steven was born. On 22 July 1980 their second son David was born. Both were born at the Heidelberg Army Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany.

For over 23 years Ingrid accompanied Richard to his duty assignments in Germany, Fort Riley, Kansas, Fort Irwin, California, Fort Bliss, Texas and Fort Hood Texas. At each of his assignments she worked in the food service industry, working several years with the Army Air Force Exchange Service (AAFES). In her final years with AAFES she worked as an Assistant Manager for the Anthony’s Pizza chain.

In 1995 Ingrid was hired as a Manager in Training/Shift Leader with Domino’s Pizza in Copperas Cove, Texas. She was the Interim Manager for Store 6623 in Killeen when the store moved operations from the old 440 Plaza to its current location on South Fort Hood Street. In 2001 Ingrid was selected for the General Manager position for Store 6622 in Copperas Cove. She remained in that position until November of 2012. She was then selected to be the Public Relations and Fort Hood Liaison for Domino’s until her retirement in June 2019. During the time she worked public relations, she also served as a member of the Fort Hood USO Advisory Council.

Ingrid always had a passion for finding a way to support her community and “Her” Soldiers. Domino’s was her tool to help provide that support. With approval from her Domino’s Franchise owner Ingrid was instrumental in providing pizzas to many community and school events. Then came the deployments and return of the Soldiers not only from Fort Hood but from National Guard and Reserve units from across the country. Ingrid made sure that “Her” Soldiers were taken of for outgoing and returning flights; whether it involved getting pizzas to the airport or standing by at the different parade fields or gymnasiums. In her very humble way she was always thrilled receiving Unit and Commander Coins that she cherished so much she had them placed in case alongside her chair at home.

Her greatest pride and joy of “I want to do something extra for the Soldiers” was being able to hold a “Soldier Appreciation Day” an annual event that was held from 2004 to 2019. This event allowed all Veterans and Active Duty Soldiers and their families to go right into the Domino’s store, fold their own boxes, make their own pizzas, get something to drink, and sit outside to enjoy their pizza with some entertainment. Her support for this event came from the local community, Domino’s employees across the franchise and the Commissary located in Grand Prairie, Texas. Her personal highlight from these annual events was having the CEO from Domino’s, Dave Brandon, take the time to accept her invitation to attend one for these events.

Christmas was always a very special time of year for Ingrid. She decorated her house from one end to the other, often setting up small village scenes in every room of her house to include the bathroom! Ingrid collected over 30 different Santa Clauses that she used for her decorations. She spent many hours baking Christmas cookies to share with her family, friends and Domino’s crew. She always made it point every year to prepare Christmas dinner for family. She loved to assemble a float with help from the Domino’s crew and participate in the local community annual Christmas parades.

Ingrid had the hobby of baking and her specialty was her Mother’s recipe for German cheesecake. She baked several versions of the basic cheesecake recipe. She also had a special carrot cake she baked.

Ingrid was an animal lover especially cats. Her “children”, Tiffany, Sammy, Baby Rose, Leah, Ariel, Emma, Theodora, Oliver, Olivia and Nicky miss their “Momma”. She liked to spend time at the local animal shelter and rescue home.

Above all Ingrid loved her family, husband Richard, son Steven, son David, and daughter in-law Allison. They all knew they were her gems. She left not only her home country but family to follow Richard through his military assignments and provided him support in any way she could through his military career.

As wonderful as my mom was, my fondest memories will forever be the time I spent with her in the kitchen. From the joy we shared in preparing meals, to the gleaming smiles and wonderful conversations of the people who ate them. I will treasure those moments forever and will always seek her approval on what I cook. –David

I am incredibly blessed to be a part of this family. Ingrid always treated me like a daughter. I have so many wonderful memories of her it is hard to choose just one. I was always so proud to tell my friends and family about Ingrid because she did so many things for the troops and the community. It’s not often that you come across a person with such a large heart and the incredible drive she had for helping others. – Allie

Ingrid, the lady who had a very special big heart is survived by her husband, Richard, Copperas Cove, TX, son Steven Kiefer from Carrolton, TX, son David (Allison) Kiefer from Durham, NC, brother Helmut (Petra) Lackus from Hambrucken, Germany, father in-law Frank Kiefer, brothers in-law Daryl Kiefer, Robbie (Antonia) Kiefer, Kevin (Deanna) Kiefer, Jeff Kiefer, sisters in-law Debra (Mark) Keen and Sandra (Tobey) Vander Laan. She is also survived by her Domino’s family and all her many friends from the Copperas Cove and Fort Hood communities.

Ingrid was preceded in death by her parents Helmut and Rhinehilda Lackus and mother in-law Carol Kiefer.

A Memorial Service will be held Sunday February 5th at 2pm at Crawford Bowers Funeral Home of Copperas Cove, Texas.

The family requests in-lieu of flowers that donations be made to the American Diabetes Association or St Jude’s Children Hospital.