Roman P. Keiter
HARTINGTON — Roman P. Keiter, 91, Hartington, died July 22, 2020, at the Arbor Care Centers, Hartington.
Visitation and a vigil service were Sunday at church and continued one hour prior to services Monday. Face masks were recommended for the visitation and the funeral.
Mass of Christian Burial was July 27 at the Holy Trinity Catholic Church, Hartington, with Rev. Jim Keiter and Rev. Joseph Miksch officiating.
Burial was in the St. Michael’s Cemetery, Hartington.
Pallbearers were Marvin Brummer, Jolene Fischer, Brandon Keiter, Nathan Leise, Brett Leise and Ken Keiter.
Arrangements were under the direction of the Wintz Funeral Home, Hartington.
Roman was born Oct. 16, 1928, on the farm at Hartington. He was the only son of Henry and Emma (Lauer) Keiter, with one sister five years older and one sister five years younger than him. He attended Rose Hill Country School and graduated from Holy Trinity High School in 1946. Roman married Joan R. Hochstein May 20, 1952, at Holy Trinity Catholic Church. He farmed and raised livestock on the homeplace four miles west of Hartington his entire life, until he entered the nursing home in 2018. Roman was also the co-owner of the Gamble Store in Hartington for three years, with his brother-inlaw, Duane Brummer. He also worked for the Cedar County Road Department for 12 years.
Roman was the owner of two airplanes and held a pilot’s license since 1970. His biggest regret was having to sell the last plane due to blindness caused by macular degeneration.
Roman was a member of the Holy Trinity Catholic Church his entire life. He and Joan enjoyed dancing and playing cards. After five children and 47 years of marriage, Joan died of stomach cancer March 24, 1999. Roman was fortunate to find happiness again with another special lady, Joann Osburn, Norfolk. After 12 years, she too died Aug. 5, 2013.
Roman is survived by his children, Pam Haidle (fiancé, Leon Pedersen), Crofton; Kay (Wayne) Holmes, Ponchatoula, La.; Lisa (Hank) Smith, Seffner, Fla.; Scott (Kelly) Keiter, Hartington; and Sherry (Regis) Leise, Hartington; sisters, Irene Obermeyer, Chelmsford, Mass.; Margie Brummer, Hartington; nine grandchildren, and six great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Joan; special friend, Joann; father, Henry; mother, Emma; step father, Ray Thoene; son-in-law, Harley Haidle; brothers-in-law, Robert Obermeyer and Duane Brummer; mother-in-law and father-in-law, Rudy and Mary Hochstein; in-laws, LaVerne and Francis Arens, Jake Halgerson, and Jack Goebel.
In lieu of flowers, Roman would wish for a kind donation to St. Jude Children’s Hospital.
Memorials may also be directed to Scott Keiter at 56051 883 Rd, Hartington, NE 68739.