"More thoughts as I think about Keith....he and Wes also enjoyed playing pool. I smile when I think about how many pranks pulled on Keith....especially the little ?canon? when we visited them in Shenandoah. He was quite a guy and so very proud of his family....who I have kept in my thoughts and prayers. God Bless"
In loving memory of
Keith L. McCall
August 29, 1932 - July 20, 2020
Keith passed away on Monday evening, July 20, 2020 at Nebraska Medicine in Omaha.
Funeral Services will be held on Friday, July 24, 2020 at 10:30 a.m. at the Hackett-Livingston Funeral Home. Burial with complete military honors will follow in the Rose Hill Cemetery. The family will greet friends one hour prior to the service. Social distancing is still encourage, as is wearing a mask. Memorials in lieu of flowers may be directed to the family.
Keith LeRoy McCall was born on August 29th, 1932 to Jesse and Leta (Mattes) McCall in Hamburg, Iowa. He grew up in the Hamburg area and graduated from Essex High School in 1950. He entered the US Army on December 10, 1952. He was honorably discharged in November 1954. Keith married Mary Alice Kish on April 16, 1955 at the First Methodist Church in Shenandoah, Iowa. The couple was blessed with 40 years of marriage and two children, Kathryn and Richard. After the Armed Forces and serving during the Korean War he worked for 37 years with the Soil Conservation Service from 1952 until he retired in May 1989. On Monday, July 20, 2020 Keith died at Nebraska Medicine in Omaha, NE at the age of 87.
Keith was actively involved in the Shenandoah American Legion where he was a member of the Color Guard and served in various capacities, including District Commander. He attended many American Legion Conventions throughout the US and won several Color Guard tournaments. He was a member of the First United Methodist Church of Shenandoah. He loved spending time with his family, farming, playing cards, and traveling. He was extremely proud of his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchild.
Those left to honor his memory include his brothers, Kenneth (Irene) McCall of Riverton, IA, Victor (Sharon) McCall of Red Oak, IA; sister-in-law Pauline (Lynn) Osterholm of Omaha, NE; his children, Kathryn (Ron) Barker of Omaha, NE, Richard (Pam) McCall of Omaha, NE; 5 grandchildren, Scott (Amanda) Barker, Jason (Kaity) Barker, Justin McCall, Riley McCall, and Megan McCall; a great-granddaughter Laney Barker; a special friend Shirley Iverson of Calgary, and many other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his wife, Mary Alice; parents and brother Hubert.
Tributes
"Wes and I were great friends of Keith and Shirley during our time spent in Arizona. He introduced the card game ?Hucklebuck? to many of the residents and we enjoyed many times playing. No doubt Wes and Keith will be playing again. Keith was a one-of-a-kind kind of a guy and we thought the world of him. RIP my friend!"
"My sympathy and prayers to all Keith?s family and friends. I worked with Keith in Shenandoah. He was always dedicated and helpful. His smile and caring was very genuine."
"I am so very sorry for your loss. My prayers are with you & your families."
"My brother Byron Hilland ,his family, Kathy Hilland their three daughters also knew Keith McCall through visits at Sicamous, BC. Keith and Shirley were always welcoming and everyone enjoyed the socializing at Mara Lake. Keith will be remembered and missed."
"To the McCall family and the Iverson family We knew Keith through his friendship with Shirley Iverson. He has been a very dear friend of our family for over 25 years. He treated Shirley with respect and love. We played cards many times at Silveridge RV park in Mesa, AZ. He was patient and enjoyed teaching others the game. Keith and Shirley took us to many areas in Arizona: to Tortilla Flats, and Sedona. Keith travelled to Canada - to British Columbia to see Shirley. We all enjoyed his company. My parents toured him and Shirley around Sicamous area. Keith was considerate and a good friend. One of his traditions was walking around two mile subdivision. He would stop and have a coffee with my parents. This was enjoyable for all. Keith will be remembered and missed. Joyce and Gordon Hilland, Kevin, and Phyl Hilland and family, Blaine and Darlene Hilland and family and Karen and Tom Geary."
"I knew Keith through our work with the Soil Conservation Service. Keith was a technical specialist, but he also volunteered to contribute to conservation promotion by serving as an area photographer, taking many photographs of conservation practices in southwest Iowa. Some of those photos he took years ago are still being used today. Besides being very competent, Keith was just the calmest, nicest person you could meet and work with. He was always happy to help promote conservation, helping me in the conservation communications office. Keith was the genuine, helpful kind of person you just never forget and always appreciate having the opportunity to know."
"I was fortunate to have first met Keith in Sicamous with the Iverson family many years ago. His calm and peaceful demeanor comes to mind when I was in his presence, like an invisible and loving hug around you when you were with him. Keith was a man of kindness, integrity & dignity and I am better person having known him. Keith lives on, within the memories of everyone whose lives he has touched, people like me. My sincere condolences to the McCall family."
"I had the honor of interviewing Keith, as well as Stanley Schaaf last fall for a Veteran's segment for KMA Radio. I would see Keith at the station periodically over the years when he would come in to do an interview, most likely for something tied in with the American Legion. On this day last fall, I spent an afternoon with Keith and Stanley--listening to their stories of their time in service to our country, and recording their stories. It was one of the best and most memorable days in recent times for me, and I am so glad I had the opportunity to meet both of these men. I could see that Keith was a kind, gentle man. That day will continue to be a treasured one for me. Please accept my prayers and sympathy during this time of profound loss of a such a great man and servant. Jean Debban"
"My prayers and condolences to the family, Please be comforted by the hope that you will see your beloved one again in the very near future. Hosea 13:14"
"So sorry to read of your Dads / Grandfathers passing. You can cherish and be proud of many memories. He set a great example for God and Country as we would say in the American Legion. He served very well his family, community and country. I had the privilege to work with him when we came to Shenandoah in 1970 until he retired. Not only at work but Pat and I enjoyed SCS bridge in our homes and yours with Keith and Mary Alice. Keith had an excellent work ethic and record of accomplishments. I was glad to visit him March 9 right after Marge Wrights funeral. They roomed across the hall from one another, kind of neat after working in the same office for many years. They were locking up Windsor Manor that day but, luckily, I got in through the dinning room. We had a long visit talking about all the Soil Conservation people we had worked with and projects. He could fill me in on all those details and names I could not remember. Great Guy! It will be my honor to be part of the American Legion Color Guard Friday of which he proudly served as commander for many years. Gods Blessings to all as part of Keith McCall family. Ernie & Pat Aust "
"We always enjoyed visiting with your father, he was a kind and caring person and always had a smile. He will be missed. We send our love to all of you. "
"Kathryn, Rich, and families, I'm so sorry for your loss. Hold on to the great memories you have; they will see you through. You're all in my thoughts and prayers."
"Keith held a special place with our family, as the great friend and caring partner to our Mom, Shirley Iverson, for the last twenty-five or so years. Our family has shared some very special moments with Keith. In Arizona, we would visit the snowbirds in Silveridge, usually for two weeks; this happened almost every spring. We would tour around packed in a van with Mom and Keith as our passengers: off to the Grand Canyon, or Tortilla Flats, or out for an evening of pizza and song at Organ Stop Pizza. On other occasions, Keith visited Canada for a Sicamous summer. We would have campfire cookouts, picnics, and spend time on the water watching for bald eagles. We did see a few over the years, a thrill for us all. However, those moments seemed to carry more meaning for Keith, as he was always very proud of his country. Seeing an eagle represented both the man and his country the best. Keith was very respectable and honest. We hold him in the highest regard. If ever there was something that needed doing, Keith willing, capable, and active to help figure a solution. We always appreciated the gentle tone he had about him. He was a great listener and had a good opinion to share, in a manner that would make one feel heard and listened to, understood. Our family took the opportunity to visit Mom and Keith in Shenandoah, and (finally) met Keith's family in person. Meeting Keith's children and grandchildren was a special occasion where we felt grateful for everyone's time spent getting better acquainted. It was easy to see and feel how extremely proud Keith was of his family. During that trip, Keith toured us around, highlighting where he lived, also some of his favourite places. One afternoon he shared pictures from his military experience. It was an honour for us to see and hear his stories, to know him better. We appreciate that he was such a reasonable and accepting man, and remain grateful to this day for the companionship that he and Mom enjoyed. Their distance has not been an easy one to bear for either of them. For Mom specifically, their steady loss of communication, by phone and video chatting daily, then weekly, to every so often has been difficult. They shared a genuine connection and concern for each other's well-being, but also for one another's families and friends. Keith's passing is felt deeply by all of us, more so because of that beautiful connection. I (David), Leesa, Aiden, and William each offer our heartfelt condolences to Keith's children and grandchildren, extended family, military companions and friends. We are truly sorry for your loss. - The Iverson's"
"Kathryn & Richard & families, My thoughts and prayers are with all of you. May God grant you Peace and Comfort. Have lots of fond memories of your parents playing bridge and lots of visiting."
"Keith was such a kind man, and Very Proud of his Family. He handed me the Flag at my dad's funeral, as part of the Color Guard. I cleaned for him for a while, and saw him almost every time I went to Windsor. My Thoughts and Prayers are with you All"
"My thoughts and prayers are with you all. My sympathy. "