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- [S927] Obituary.
n Keith W. Johnson MAPLETON, Iowa - Keith W. Johnson, 86, formerly of Hornick, Iowa died Wednesday, March 2. 2005, at Maple Heights Nursing Home in Mapleton. Services will be 10:30 a.m. Saturday at Rodney United Church of Christ in Rodney, Iowa, with the Rev. Karen Handke officiating. Burial will be in Grant Cemetery. Visitation will be 4 to 8 p.m. today, with the family present 6 to 8 p.m. and a prayer service at 7 p.m., at Armstrong Funeral Home in Maple-ton. Keith was born Oct. 7, 1918, in Homer, Neb. He graduated from Homer High School at the age of 16 and attended Wayne State College, where he graduated with a bachelor of arts degree. While in college, he met his one true love, Nina Gramm. They were married July 31, 1941. He taught in Brunswick, Neb. before being drafted into the U.S. Army in 1942. He was stationed in Cheyenne, Wyo., and Honolulu, Hawaii. After being discharged in December 1945, he farmed. He later taught high school algebra, physics and chemistry in Smithland, Iowa, ; and physical education in the Westwood School District. He had a lifelong love for farming and continued to farm until 1998, when Parkinson's Disease made it impossible for him to continue. He has a passion for sports. He loved baseball, basketball and wrestling and would amaze anyone with his ability to quote statistics from past years. He coached Smithland Little League baseball teams for 26 years and pitched thousands of baseballs to hundreds of kids. As important as teaching the rules of the game, he instilled morals and values and brought out the best in each child. His insatiable curiosity and love of reading gave him a wealth of knowledge on a variety of subjects. He could carry on a discussion with people young and old. Family members always wanted him on their side for trivia. The last few months, Parkinson's Disease made it difficult for him to visit with family and friends. He inspired many with his strength and courage in dealing with Parkinson's. We will remember his smile, his devotion to God and his love for family. He was a member of Rodney United Church of Christ and the Smithland American Legion. He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Nina of Mapleton; a son and his wife, Robert and Annette of Smithland; a daughter and her husband, Linda and Rich Gray of St Charles, Iowa; a sister, Marjorie Drickey of Stockton, 111.; five grandchildren, Monte, Dustin, Tyler, Wendy and Brian; and five great-grandchildren.
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1918 - 2005 (86 years)