Obituary of Keith Calvin Koele

 Keith Calvin Koele, was born February 9, 1953, in Hartley, IA to Hazel (Sittler) and Marion Koele. He spent his early years on a farm north of Hartley until age 6, when his parents purchased a grocery store in Hartley and moved the family “to town”.

    He received his education in Hartley, graduating with the class of 1971. He was an exceptional athlete, not only in high school, but college as well, competing in football, basketball and track during his high school years, then attending Northwestern College in Orange City, IA on football and track scholarships. He earned a bachelor’s degree in business and had a long career as a pipeline technician.

    On January 9, 1972, Keith was united in marriage to Mary Henderson. Their family grew to include two daughters, Stacie and Shannon and one son, Shane. Keith and Mary enjoyed watching all three kids compete in high school sports. It was especially exciting to watch Shane break records Keith had set in high school. Tragically, Shane was killed in action in 2005 while serving with the U.S. Army in Afghanistan.

    Keith married Darlene Gibbs on February 9, 1998, calling the Storm Lake area “home” for many years. After retiring, they moved to Sun City, AZ where they lived for three years before moving to Sioux Falls, SD in January of 2023 to be closer to family. 

    Keith was an avid fisherman and took in many fishing trips with friends to South Dakota and Minnesota. He also enjoyed golfing…getting an ace on hole # 8 at Meadowbrook, hunting with Shane and his dog Brandy and watching the IOWA Hawkeyes.    

    On Tuesday, March 4, 2025, Keith passed from this life at his home in Sioux Falls; he was 72 years of age. Preceding him in death were his wife, Darlene; his beloved son, Shane; his parents, Hazel and Marion Koele; stepfather, Ed Rons; sisters: Charlotte Decklever and Charmaine Hersom; and stepbrother, Jim Rons.

    Left to cherish his memory are his daughters: Stacie (Mike) Long of Ruthven, IA, and Shannon (Alex) Demkiw of Cedar Falls, IA; stepchildren: Christina Bishop and Jeremie (Melissa) Gibbs all of Sioux Falls, SD; grandchildren: Austin Long, Alex (Kelsey) Long, Shane, Elias, Maximus and Sasha Demkiw, and Kiley Koele; stepgrandsons: Remington Rosenbaum and Quinton Rosenbaum; great-grandson, Kolt;  sister, Sharolyn (Dick) Jacobson of Lakeville, MN; brother, Craig (Kathi) Koele of Broken Arrow, OK; stepsisters: Janet Schierholz and Glenda Johnson; stepbrother, Loyd Rons; nephews: Brett Hersom, Breck (Nicki) Hersom, Adam (Jael) Jacobson, Matt (Ashley) Jacobson, Quin Koele; niece, Carrie Choudhury and his longtime college friend, Tom Van Rooyen; along with other relatives and many friends.

    Everyone who knew Keith - whether as a teammate, classmate, neighbor, co-worker or casual acquaintance, enjoyed spending time with him. He will be remembered as a fun, caring and compassionate person.   

~ Following the Committal Service,

there will be a time for visitation at the church

before the Memorial Service begins ~