George Franklin Keister (1867-1936)

JOHNSON, KEISTER, KLEIST, LARSEN, MCCURRY, MUSSMAN, PATTERSON, PINKHAM, SWANSON

Posted By: Eileen Reed
Date: 2/10/2024 at 13:06:42

The Goldfield Gazette
Eagle Grove, Iowa
Thursday, March 12, 1936

Mr. and Mrs. Frank Keister of Elmore, Minn., visited Sunday at the George Keister home. Mr. Keister has been seriously ill.
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The condition of George Keister who has been seriously ill for some time, was reported critical Wednesday evening.

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The Goldfield Gazette
Eagle Grove, Iowa
Thursday, March 19, 1936

George F. Keister Passes Away After Lingering Illness

Funeral services for George Keister, aged 68 years, were held Tuesday afternoon at the United Presbyterian church, Rev. R. M. McCracken officiating. Burial was made in Glenwood cemetery, with the Fountain City Masonic lodge in charge of the ritual. Six nephews acted as casketbearers, Owen Patterson of Rolfe, Malcolm Keister of Thompson, Raymond of Mason City, Kenneth and Manley of Elmore. Minn., and Harold of Minneapolis.

Mr. Keister passed away at his home here Sunday, March 15, after an illness that had confined him to his bed for several months. He was born near Argyle, Wis., on August 1, 1867, and had reached the age of 68 years, 7 months and 14 days when death summoned him. When a boy of nine his parents came to Wright county and he made his home here ever since. On August 1, 1895, he was married to Miss Myrtle McCurry of Goldfield, who passed away on Oct. 3, 1903. On March 5, 1907, he was united in marriage to Mrs. Christie Pinkham, who survives him. There were ten children, three of whom died, Kent and Ward in infancy and George Jr. in young manhood. The other seven are Mrs. Stella Johnson of Eagle Grove, Mrs. Floy Larsen of Goldfield, Coyle Keister of Los Angeles, Mack of Eagle Grove, Lon, Scott and Watt at home and: one stepson, Charles Pinkham of Cedar Falls. He is also survived by 11 grandchildren, one sister, Mrs. Lillian Patterson of Rolfe, and one brother, Frank, of Elmore, Minn.

When a young man Mr. Keister united with the Methodist church in Goldfield and later transferred to the United Presbyterian church of which he was a loyal member. He engaged in threshing and well drilling operations throughout the county until illness forced, his retirement, several years ago. His passing brings deep sorrow to his family and friends and the sympathy of the entire community is extended the bereaved ones in their loss.

Out of town people here for the funeral were Mr. and Mrs. Harold Keister of Minneapolis, Mr. and Mrs. Raymond Keister of Mason City, Mr. and Mrs. Owen Patterson of Rolfe, Mr. and Mrs. Frank Keister, Mrs. Helen Keister and Mrs. Devere Keister of Elmore, Minn., Mrs. Clarence Patterson of Rolfe, Mr. and Mrs. Charles Pinkham and two children of Cedar Falls, Mrs. Bryan Swanson of Des Moines, Mrs. Doris Keister of Renwick and Mr. and Mrs. Harry Mussman of Lakota, Iowa.

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The Eagle Grove Eagle
Eagle Grove, Iowa
Thursday, March 19, 1936

Goldfield

Geo. Keister, Pioneer, Dies Sunday

Came to Wright County in 1876 and Has Lived Here Since That Time. Mr. Keister Was 68.

George Keister, 63. died at his home here on Sunday afternoon after a prolonged illness. He was one of the pioneer residents of this community and made many friends here during his years of association with the farmers in this neighborhood.

Funeral services were held at the United Presbyterian church Tuesday afternoon with the Rev. R. M. McCracken in charge of the service. Six nephews of Mr. Keister's acted as pallbearers. The Masonic lodge had charge of the service at the Glenwood cemetery.

Obituary

George Franklin Keister was born near Argyle, Wis., August 1, 1867, and died at his home in Goldfield on March 15, 1936, aged 68 years, 7 months and 14 days. He came with his parents to Wright county in 1876 and has made his home here ever since.

On August 1, 1895, he was married to Miss Myrtle McCurry, who passed away Oct. 3, 1903. On March 5, 1907 he was married to Mrs. Christie Pinkham, who survives him.

He was the father of ten children, three of whom preceded him in death. Kent and Ward dying in infancy and George Jr., in young manhood. He leaves to mourn his passing, his wife, two daughters, Mrs. Stella Johnson of Eagle Grove and Mrs. Floy Larsen of Goldfield and five sons, Coyle of Los Angeles, Calif., Mack of Eagle Grove, Lon, Scott and Watt at home, and one step-son, Charles Pinkham of Cedar Falls. He is also survived by 11 grandchildren, one sister, Mrs. Lillian Patterson of Rolfe and one brother, Frank C. Keister of Elmore, Minn.

In his young manhood he united with the Methodist church of Goldfield, later transferring his membership to the United Presbyterian church of Goldfield.

Out of town people attending the funeral services for Mr. Keister were: Mr. and Mrs. Frank Keister, Mrs. Devere Keister, Mrs. Helen Keister and Manley Keister of Elmore, Minn., Malcolm and Kenneth Keister of Thompson, Minn., Mr. and Mrs. Raymond Keister of Mason City, Mrs. Clarence Patterson and Mr. and Mrs. Owen Patterson of Rolfe, Mr. and Mrs. Charles Pinkham and two children of Cedar Falls, Mrs. Bryan Swanson or Des Moines and Miss Phyllis Kleist of Storm Lake.