Keith Richtsmeier

Keith Duane Richtsmeier, 54, of Aurora, Colorado formerly of Steamboat Rock, Iowa went to be with his beloved Jesus on Thursday, April 9, 2009 at the Porter Hospice in Centennial, Colorado. While his body will be buried at the Steamboat Rock Cemetery his spirit and life goes on in the presence of God and of those who have gone before him in faith and hope. The memorial fund established in his name will be used to fund what he gave his heart and life to: spreading the love and message of Jesus through creative arts and teaching venues.



Keith was born in Hampton, Iowa to John and Darlene (Anders) Richtsmeier on April 24, 1954. He was raised on a farm near Ackley and graduated from the Ackley ? Geneva High School in 1972. In 1973, Keith graduated from Lincoln Technical Institute. With the mind of an engineer and the hands for service, Keith began his working life servicing vehicles at the old Amoco station in Steamboat Rock. On June 14, 1974 he was united in marriage to Carolyn J. Gast in Steamboat Rock, Iowa. He relished in the joy of his second family as an "adopted" son-in-law of Laverne and Joan Gast, the brother-in-law of Dan and Terry Gast.



Over the last 20+ years Keith has worked as a Construction Coordinator for New Modern Concepts in Iowa Falls. His commitment to his trade and insatiable work ethic made him an integral part in the construction of more than 1000 hog confinements and the establishment of this substantial agri-business in Iowa and beyond.



For the majority of his adult life Keith was a member, contributor, teacher and leader at the Steamboat Rock Baptist Church. As the youth leader in the early 80s he saw many of his former youth go on to lifetimes in Christian ministry. In more recent years, Keith was a member of the Orchard Hill Church in Cedar Falls, Iowa where he reveled in the celebration of the gospel through the weekend services and contemporary worship music.



In the last months of his battle with cancer, Keith's great joy was his grandson, Evan. For Keith, who loved life, particularly that brand of life that flows through the veins of children; laughing, playing and staring into the eyes of his grandson, was the kind of happiness that could only be surpassed by heaven itself.



He is survived by his wife: Carolyn; a son: Nick and his wife Wendy Richtsmeier of Denver, Colorado; a grandson: Evan Keith Richtsmeier; mother: Darlene Richtsmeier of Ackley, Iowa, two brothers: Marvin and his wife Glenna of Ackley, Iowa and Jim and his wife Cindy of Ackley; and a sister: Gloria and her husband Ken Lewis of Lewisville, Minnesota. He was preceded in death by his father, John. He is now, and forever will be in the presence of the one he loved more than life itself: Jesus, the Christ, the Son of God.