Keith Albert WILHELM

WILHELM, KINKER, LONGNECKER, JAMISON, MCDONOUGH, WILLIAMS, HIPPEN, DAY, JOHNSON, MCCORMICK

Posted By: Sarah Thorson Little (email)
Date: 2/10/2024 at 13:06:52

May 17, 1935 ---- December 7, 2018

Keith Albert Wilhelm of Sac City, Iowa passed away on December 7th, 2018 at Park View Rehabilitation Center in Sac City. Keith was born on May 17, 1935 in Johnson City, Nebraska. He was the son of Albert Christian Wilhelm and Della Kinker Wilhelm. The family farmed in several communities in Iowa and Nebraska, and settled near LuVerne, Iowa. Keith graduated as the class valedictorian from Vernon Township High School in 1953.

After high school, Keith served from 1953 to 1955 in the Army in Europe, reaching the rank of Corporal. After returning from the service, he attended Eagle Grove Community College (now a part of Iowa Central Community College), graduating in 1958. While in college, he met Marilyn Evelyn Longnecker while she was teaching for the Humboldt Schools. They were married at the Methodist Church in her hometown of Sac City on August 9th, 1958. Keith then attended the University of Iowa and graduated in 1961 with a Bachelor of Arts degree.

After moving to Sac City in 1962, Keith went on to a very successful sales career with the DuBois Chemical Company, winning many sales awards and rising to the level of Vice President of Sales before retiring in in 1999. Hiring and training salesmen was one of Keith’s passions, and he maintained close contact with many of them well after retirement. After retiring from his sales career, he owned and operated Small Engine City for 10 years until he retired full time.

Keith and Marilyn raised three sons (Lance, Kevin, and Brent), and Keith was very active in the Sac City community, particularly in the United Methodist Church and the Sac Booster Club. He also served in the Army Reserve, reaching the rank of 2nd Lieutenant, and was a member of American Legion. He and Marilyn enjoyed traveling, as part of family vacations, conferences with the DuBois company, and later in life, with their many friends.

Keith was preceded in death by his parents; his brothers Wayne, Dennis, and Burnis; his sisters Lois, Arlene, Norma, and Joan; and his wife Marilyn. He is survived by his three sons, Lance of Sac City, Kevin (Joy) of West Des Moines, and Brent of Sac City; three grandchildren, Madeline (Jordan) Jamison of West Des Moines, Haley (Cody) McDonough of Sac City, and Dylan (Taylor) Williams; four great grandchildren, Brayden, Bryson, Breckyn, and Bristol Williams of Rockwell; brothers Milton of LuVerne, Loren (Betty) of Boone, Kenneth of Grand Rapids, MI, and Ron (Teresa) of Lincoln, NE; sisters Margaret Hippen of Ames, Donna (Roger) Day of Humboldt, Elaine Johnson of Urbandale, and Sharon McCormick of Pontiac, MI; and many nieces, and nephews.

Visitation will be held on Monday, December 10th from 4:00 to 7:00 PM at the Farber and Otteman Funeral Home (1120 West Main) in Sac City. A funeral service will be held at 11:00 AM on Tuesday, December 11th at the United Methodist Church (900 Main) in Sac City, followed by interment in the Oakland Cemetery in Sac City. In lieu of flowers, memorials will be given to the United Methodist Church and the East Sac Athletic Boosters.

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