Keith Alan Riedel, 48 Fairview, MT

A celebration of life for Keith Alan Riedel, 48, of Fairview will be held at Zion Lutheran Church in Fairview, September 22, 2018 at 2 p.m.

Keith left this earth to be with his heavenly Father and his earthly father September 6, 2018. He passed away at the Billings Clinic Hospital with his family at his side following a lengthy and courageous battle with cancer. 

Keith was born November 9, 1969 in Sidney, MT to Victor & Lillian (Propp) Riedel. His birth was a great pride and joy to all of his family, especially his Dad since he finally got his son. The joy was very short-lived, though, as Victor passed away when Keith was 2.

Keith attended elementary school at East Fairview, ND and graduated from Fairview High School in 1988. He then attended college at Wahpeton State School of Science in Wahpeton, ND for two years. 

He moved to Billings, MT and worked at various job for 10 years. He then returned to Fairview and went to work for Sidney Sugars doing various jobs during the campaign season and worked summers as a hired hand for Scott Buxbaum on Scott's farm. He later became a full-time employee at the factory. Keith then began employment with Musket, an oil transloading business, at their Dore, ND facility. This was a job that Keith was very proud of as he was the operator of the shuttle that moved all the rail cars. Due to health issues, his most recent employment was at Sidney Health Center as a dishwasher in the cafeteria. Richard St. Germain was not only his boss but also became a very special friend to Keith, whom he was very fond of, and Richard was a wonderful confidant for Keith with all the problems that come with health/cancer issues. His co-workers also became very special people to him as he considered them his 'other' family. Keith commented quite often that his changing of jobs was the reason for him acquiring so many friendships that meant the world to him.

His childhood/teenage years proved him to be a lover of nature. He loved going backpacking in the mountains, camping and fishing. This love for nature later turned into him acquiring a huge collection of eagles. While shopping, if he saw an eagle, it was evident that it would be added to his collection. Keith was also in 4-H in the horsemanship division.

Keith was a man of few words but when he did talk you can bet someone was going to be picked on with a witty remark. He was a jokester to the end and always had a smile and a twinkle in his eye.

Keith is survived by his Mom, Lillian; his sisters Vicki (Chuck) Thompson and Cheryl (Jim Karst); nieces Alicia Dietrich-Dahl, Angie (Casey) Dietrich; his grand-nephews Parker (Aneska) Dahl and Connor Dahl; and grand-niece Taylor Dietrich; uncle Harold (Betty) Propp of Billings and aunts Dorothy (Propp) Valnes and Bernice Riedel both of Fairview.

Keith was preceded in death by his Dad, Victor, grandparents Walter & Mary Riedel and Paul & Mary Propp, numerous aunts and uncles, cousins and friends. Burial of his cremains will be set at a later date.

 

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