Keith Kerkeide, 58

Keith Lamont Kerkeide, age 58 of Alexandria, passed away on Saturday evening, August 18, 2012 at the St. Cloud Hospital.

Keith was born November 5, 1953 to Herbert and Sylvia (Rise) Kerkeide in Benson. He graduated from Benson High School with the class of 1971 and attended Alexandria Technical College in the Small Gas Engine program. He married LouAnn Gandrud and later, Linda Klimek.

Keith worked at the Fingerhut factory in Alexandria as a mechanic, repairing packaging machines. Keith also did newspaper delivery of the Minneapolis Star-Tribune and the Alexandria Echo Green Sheet around the Garfield area. More recently, he was employed at the Kmart and Walmart stores in Alexandria.

Keith liked to go fishing and was also a history buff who enjoyed learning and reading about historical events and watching the History Channel on television. He liked to socialize and could strike up a conversation with anyone. He was a friend to many and will be dearly missed by his family and friends.

Preceding him in death were his parents, Herbert and Sylvia Kerkeide.

He is survived by his son, Josh Kerkeide of Rosemount; brothers, Lavern (Lois) Kerkeide of Alexandria and Kevin Kerkeide of Long Prairie; sister, Sherrie (Dan) Wilken of Villard; uncle, John Rise of Milbank, South Dakota; many nieces and nephews.

A memorial service was held Thursday, August 23 at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Osakis with Fr. David Petron officiating. Inurnment was at the family plot in St. Pauli’s Cemetery in Swift Falls.

Arrangements are with Roy-Hetland Funeral Home in Osakis; www.royhetland.com.

A00009B2012AG24

Tags: obituaries