Brookfield Central Class of 1980
Linda Dumke is a 1980 Lancer graduate whose entrepreneurial spirit led her to found and create modern and traditional wooden furniture pieces at Thomas William Furniture with her husband, Tom.
Linda's educational journey began at Swanson Elementary before taking her to Wisconsin Hills and Brookfield Central. While at Central, she was involved in an array of sports including volleyball, basketball, track, FBLA, and intramurals. "Elmbrook academically prepared me well for college and my work life while also building my social and emotional skills," stated Dumke. "I'm especially thankful to Coach Blomberg for giving me many great memories and teaching life lessons through the basketball program."
Following her graduation from BCHS in 1980, Linda knew she wanted to be self-employed one day and gained customer service and administration experience in the workforce. In 1983, Linda married her husband Tom and together they purchased a distressed older home that they began refurbishing room by room. "When we went to buy a bedroom set, Tom examined the furniture and decided he could make the set himself at a better quality," said Dumke. "That moment really set into motion the founding of our business."
In 1996, Linda and Tom founded Thomas William Furniture, a company dedicated to building quality wooden furniture "that celebrates the natural beauty of wood with a graceful, modern or traditional design, and is a joy to own." Linda received her undergraduate degree in Human Services from Upper Iowa University in 2006.
Today, Linda is the artist that handles all the business details from marketing to taxes, and Tom is the artist that selects the wood and crafts the furniture. In their free time, they are involved in various volunteer opportunities at their church. You can see their work and learn more about Thomas William Furniture by visiting www.thomaswilliamfurniture.com.
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