Keith Kothenbeutel, 84

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Keith Duane Kothenbeutel, 84, of Hampton, Iowa, passed away Friday, November 6, 2020, at MercyOne North Iowa Medical Center in Mason City. He was born on December 24, 1935, in Hampton, to Oliver and Meta (Bruns) Kothenbeutel.

Keith graduated from Hampton High School, class of 1954. He attended Iowa State University and received his Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration from Mount Senario, in Lady Smith, Wisconsin. Keith served his country in the United States Air Force, United States Army Reserves and the Iowa National Guard, first joining at the age of 17. Throughout his military career, he was in the National Guard for 23 years, where he was a unit administrator, and was a training instructor at Ft. McCoy for 14 years for the Army; he retired in 2000 from the Army Reserves.

Keith met Judy Scantlebury at school in Hampton. On August 25, 1972, he went from a footloose and fancy-free bachelor to a husband and father of 3, when he adopted Joe, Scott and Kellie. Keith was a wonderful father and treated them like they were his own. He had the opportunity to coach his boy’s baseball team and never missed a sporting event they were involved in. Keith enjoyed his family, especially his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. 

Keith worked for John Deere in Waterloo, was a sales rep for Dealers Hobby Supply in Des Moines for nine years, was a sales rep for Moormans Feed Company, worked for Sukup Manufacturing in Sheffield, and drove transit twice a day in Hampton for the past 10 years. He along with his brother and sister-in-law, Don and Joann Kothenbeutel, co-owned Drierdale Restaurant in Hampton. 

Keith was the former president of the Hampton Senior Center, state vice president of the Legion, Hampton American Legion commander for 2 years, and was regional president of the Gardeners of North Iowa. He was a member of the Hampton United Methodist Church, the American Legion in Hampton, and Hampton Jaycee’s. Keith was also active in developing the North Hansell Shooting complex. 

Keith enjoyed pistol target shooting, woodworking, building wooden models and had a blade sharpening business. He had a passion for flying and was a licensed private pilot, loved motorcycling with his wife Judy, and was an avid Iowa Hawkeyes and Green Bay Packers fan. Keith would often be seen around town walking his beloved dogs, Max (deceased), Ruby and Lola.

Keith is survived by his loving wife Judy, his children Joe (Patty) of Mason City, Scott of Bel Air, Maryland, and Kellie Johnson of Hampton; his brother Don (Joann) Kothenbeutel in Garner, Iowa and several nieces and nephews; his grandchildren and great-grandchildren: Josh Kothenbeutel (Kym) and son Alex; Jess Kothenbeutel and children Kaidon, Kolby and Oden; Adrian Green (Tanner) and children Tryston, Alythia, and Kynlee; Leisha Viergutz (Jared) and children Mia and Tarra; Jeb Kothenbeutel (Savana) and children Adalyn and Barrett; Hunter Kothenbeutel (Lindsay) and Ashlee Kothenbeutel; Josh Hobbs and daughter Emberleigh; Angie Hobbs; Kayla Fredricks. 

He was preceded in death by his parents Oliver and Meta Kothenbeutel.

Keith had a great capacity to love all of his family and friends. He will be missed by many.

Cards of condolences may be sent to Keith’s family and mailed to Sietsema Vogel Funeral Home, PO Box 403, Hampton, IA, 50441.

Private family services with burial in the Hampton Cemetery will be held. The Sietsema Vogel Funeral Home of Hampton is assisting Keith’s family.

www.sietsemavogelfuneralhomes.com

641-456-3232