On June 20, 2018, at the age of 97, Donald Lee Keyes of Wykoff, went to his Heavenly Home, after a short stay at Ostrander Care Center. Don was born in Strongs Prairie, Wis., and in his late teens following the dream of “Go west young men.” He made it all the way to southeastern Minnesota, where he met his future wife. As many other young men of the time, he served his country in WWII. He spoke often of his experience as a LINK trainer and his passion for airplanes continued throughout his life. In 1945, he married his sweetheart Helen, to whom he had courted by mail. During their 73 year marriage, they raised their large family on a dairy farm outside of Wykoff. Retirement for Don and Helen meant a move to town, where Don’s enjoyment of growing things continued as he gardened well into his 90s.
Don is survived by his wife Helen (Kohlmeyer), children: Ellen Collett (Minn.), Sarah (Mike) Zachow (Mich.), Tim (Cindy) Keyes (Ill.), Peter (Marci) Keyes (Minn.), Lois (Rob) Deyonker (Calif.), Joe (Karen) Keyes (Minn.), Mary (Steve) Flachs (Mich.), Ben (Theresa) Keyes (Minn.), Danelle (Mike) Keyes-Condra (Mich.), sister Judy Lewis, sisters-in-law: Evelyn Keyes, Ruth Grabau, and Dorene Vomhof, 26 grandchildren, 44 great-grandchildren, nine great-great-grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews.
Don was preceded in death by his parents William and Myrtle Keyes, sons Lee, Jerome, Roger, Mark, and David; brothers Gale and John Keyes, sister Lillian Schlieve, brothers-in-law Ed Schlieve, Jim Lewis, Leonard Meyer, Reuben Grabau, Claire Vomhof, Walter Kohlmeyer; and sisters-in-law Polly Keyes, Dorothy Meyer, and Eunice Kohlmeyer.
Don’s visitation will be held from 5-7 p.m. on Thursday, June 28 and his memorial service will be at 2 p.m. on Friday, June 29. Both will be held at St. Johns Lutheran Church in Wykoff.
In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to St. Johns Lutheran School of Wykoff or Lutherans for Life.