Keith O. Gellerstedt (1926-2021)

GELLERSTEDT, KAUFMANN, DOROBA, HARVEY

Posted By: Ken Wright (email)
Date: 11/10/2021 at 13:47:56

Keith O. Gellerstedt

April 22, 1926-November 8, 2021

Keith O. Gellerstedt, 95, of Moline, IL, passed away peacefully at home, after an extended illness, on Monday, November 8th, 2021.

Keith was born April 22, 1926, in Moline, to Carl and Carolyn (Nelson) Gellerstedt. He graduated from Moline High School in 1944. He married Marie A. Kaufmann on March 16, 1957 in Moline.

Keith was a proud WWII veteran, serving in the US Army 75th Division. He traveled to Europe on the Queen Mary at the age of 17 becoming a member of what was affectionately called the "Diaper Division." He served in France, Germany and Belgium and fought in the Battle of the Bulge. He was privileged to participate in the October 2009 Honor Flight to Washington D.C.

Returning from the war, Keith studied to become a computer programmer and worked in the data processing division for Deere and Co., and later for Bendix Corp., which became Litton Industries, retiring in 1986. He also spent many years working with Marie and their sons at her business, Nixalite of America.

Keith was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Moline, the Ex-Servicemen's Club, former Moline Elks, Turners Club, Vikings Club, and American Legion Post 246.

He loved spending time at their river home in Cordova, boating, working in the yard and he had a very artistic side. He also loved his sweets and a good Dry Rob Roy, with a twist "up." Most of all he just loved spending time with his family, who will miss him dearly.

Those left to cherish Keith's memory are his wife Marie; daughter Lori (Jeff) Doroba; sons Keith Todd (Debbie), Jon Erik (Stephenie) and Cory (Julie) Gellerstedt. Grandchildren; Sophie, Brian and Molly Doroba; Carolyn (Brian) Harvey, Kenny (Rachel), Jake, Hannah, Britta, Nick and Emma Gellerstedt; great-grandchildren Jude and Zoe Gellerstedt, as well as baby Dean Harvey due in March.

The family would like to thank Unity Point Home Care, Palliative Care and Hospice for their wonderful care through the years, especially Keith's home caregivers who loved and treated him like family.

Visitation will be Friday, November 12th, 2021 from 11 am to 1 pm with the funeral service starting at 1 pm, Wendt Funeral Home in Moline, IL. Interment will be in Rock Island National Cemetery, Rock Island, with military honors accorded by American Legion Post 246.

Memorials can be made to Shriner's Children's Hospital.

Family and friends are invited to share memories and express online condolences at wendtfuneralhome.com.

Published by Quad-City Times on Nov. 10, 2021.