Keith D. Leighty 1935 - 2013

LEIGHTY, WINGET, BROWN

Posted By: Connie Swearingen-Volunteer (email)
Date: 7/2/2013 at 13:01:18

Sioux City Journal
14 June 2013

SMITHLAND, Iowa | Keith D. Leighty, 77, of Smithland died June 11, 2013, at Pleasant View Care Center in Whiting, Iowa, after a lengthy illness.

Memorial services will be 1:30 p.m. Monday at Root Funeral Home – Willman Chapel in Rodney, Iowa, with Pastor Catie Newman officiating. No visitation is planned. Online condolences may be expressed at www.rootfuneralhomes.com.

Keith D. Leighty, son of Daniel Jacob and Celia Marie (Brown) Leighty, was born Oct. 21, 1935, in Mitchell, S.D. He graduated from Hubbard High School in Nebraska in 1953. He was a proud student and was on the state 4x200 championship relay team.

On Jan. 31, 1959, he was united in matrimony to Loretta Winget. They lived 25 years in Luton, Iowa, and moved to Smithland, Iowa, in the early 1990’s and spent their remaining years there.

Keith was a lifelong welder and was a proud member of the Teamsters Union. He retired from Prince Hydraulics in Sioux City, but kept busy doing odd welding jobs for many families in Smithland. Keith was very close to each of his children and enjoyed their visits. He enjoyed hunting and creating yard ornaments from scrap metal. Keith was an “idea” man who could take any idea and create an ornament or household item that when seen everyone wanted.

Keith, his wife Loretta and best friends Jim and Barb Brummand were common visitors to lower Fourth Street in Sioux City. There was a time in which Keith ran booze between Nebraska and Iowa or South Dakota. He was extremely proud of his ’49 Mercury that he boasted could outrun any law officer. He grew up using his wits and was always ready to help a friend. He enjoyed telling stories of his many escapades (and close calls) and adventures.

Keith and Loretta toured with a local carnival in the early 1960’s. He built many carnival rides and many are still popular today.

Keith is survived by his seven children: Danetta and Ron Stone of Sioux City, Wrenn and Ron Leander of Rapid City, S.D., Monica and Craig Stinger of Sioux Falls, S.D., Jim and Connie Leighty of Ida Grove, Iowa, Clinton and Marcia Leighty of De Soto, Iowa, Clifford and MiHi Leighty of Jeffersonville, Ind. and Kenneth and Shannon Leighty of Nevada, Iowa; his nephew, Marvin and Julia Castle of Hornick, Iowa; 13 grandchildren; 10 great grandchildren; one sister-in-law, Beverly Ann Rivers of Las Vegas, Nev.; other relatives and many friends.

Keith was preceded in death by his parents; beloved wife, Loretta and one sister, Carole.