Keith LeRoy Haist was born Feb. 6, 1923, on a farm near Denton, Nebraska. He was the third son of Earnest Morton Haist and Myrtle Bell Dunten Haist. He passed away on July 11, 2023, in Lincoln, Nebraska, at the age of 100.
Keith graduated from Pleasant Dale High School in 1940.
A WWII veteran, he enlisted in the United States Navy in 1943 receiving an honorable discharge in 1946. He attended the University of Nebraska-Lincoln for two years and graduated from the Horology Technical School of Denver, Colorado, in 1950.
Keith was united in marriage with Norma Lee Woodward on July 25, 1948, in Chester, Nebraska. The couple made their home in Lincoln, Denver, Mullen and Arapahoe in the early years, moving to Hastings in 1960 and to Lincoln in 1996.
A jeweler and watchmaker, Keith owned Haist Jewelers in Hastings, Nebraska, where he lived for 36 years. Keith was active in many civic organizations, including the Hastings Sertoma Club where he was a charter member and served as president in 1970, a member of Scottish Rite, Gideons, Toastmasters International, YMCA board, Indian Guide leader, and DeMolay International (advisor and council chairman) all in Hastings, Nebraska. He was a member of AF & AM since 1953, serving as Master of Lodge #317, Hastings, in 1978. Keith also was involved with United Methodist churches in Colorado and Nebraska, serving as Sunday school teacher, MYF sponsor, Bible study leader, and held many other offices. He was a member of the Nebraska & South Dakota Jewelers Association.
Keith was deeply loved by his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. As his grandkids say, “There’s always room on Grandpa’s lap.”
He will be remembered for his kindness, wisdom, faith, sense of humor, patience, listening ear, green thumb and his ability to fix almost anything. He will be greatly missed.
Keith was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Norma, his siblings, Ivan, Milton, and Doris, and two infant daughters, Lee and Kay.
Survivors include son Dean Haist of Lincoln, son Tim (Janet) Haist of Albuquerque, New Mexico, daughter Joy (Dave) Duncan of Lincoln; six grandchildren, Ben Haist, Lisa Haist and Kristina Haist, all of Albuquerque; Sara (Andrew) Petersen, Amy (JT) Ehly, and Bethany (Jon) Degerness, all of Lincoln; and four great-grandchildren, Lydia and Violet Petersen, and Alexis and Leah Ehly.
Services will be held Saturday, Aug. 26 at 11:00 a.m. CT at Trinity United Methodist Church, 7130 Kentwell Lane, Lincoln, Nebraska. Lunch will be provided following the service. A private family burial will be held at Pleasant Dale Cemetery.
Memorials may be directed to Trinity United Methodist Church of Lincoln, or Gideons International North Camp.