EULOGY OF KEITH ELMER WISSEL


Keith Elmer Wissel, the fourth son of Nellie Viola (Martin) Wissel and Henry Wissel, was born June 9th, 1920 at the family farm near Roca, in Lancaster County, Nebraska. He departed this life on January 5, 2008 at the age of 87 years, 6 months, and 26 days.


Preceding him in death are his parents, his wife Mary Lea, and his four brothers, Paul, Ward, Burrel, and Duane respectively. Three sisters in law: Ruth and Ruby Wissel, both of Eads, and Evelyn Buck of San Diego, California survive him. Seven nieces and seven nephews, and their families also survive him in life. He also has many friends and acquaintances that will all miss his laugh, and that bright sparkling twinkle in his eye. He was a fine example of a great human being. We all can follow his lifelong leadership and live our daily lives by his example of treating all people he encountered with dignity and kindness.


He moved to Colorado with his parents and 4 brothers, toward the end of February 1931, to live on a farm several miles south of the Galatea Store, where the family lived for three years. Henry Wissel had bought this land in 1912 even though his family of farmers was long established near Lincoln, Nebraska. The family then moved to a farm in the Prairie Queen community northwest of Eads in 1934.


He began his primary education at District #97, Lancaster County, Nebraska. He then attended Prairie View School in Kiowa County through the 8th grade. He then completed his formal education and graduated from Eads High School with the class of 1938.


Keith served his country in the U.S. Army from March 22, 1942 until November 9, 1945. He served with the 9204 Technical Service Unit Transportation Corps. He was assigned to an Anti-Aircraft gun crew. He served with this unit in the Pacific Theater, in the Aleutian Islands Campaign. His decorations and citations included the American Theater Service Ribbon, Good Conduct medal, and the Asiatic Pacific Theater Ribbon with Bronze star.


Following his discharge from the Army, Keith returned to the Eads area, and resumed farming the land for the next four years. He continued his education via the GI Bill at Lamar Community College, studying Agriculture. The dry and lean years of the 1950s caused him to supplement his income by working at Clossens Service Station and for D.L. Weeks.


Keith married Mary Lea Buck on January 26, 1947, at the First Christian Church in Eads, Colorado. They remained in the Eads community for the rest of their lives.


Keith was always involved in community activities during his life. For seven years he was the Superintendent of Crops at the Kiowa County Free Fair. He was also an annual fixture on duty manning the coffee and hot chocolate beverage station alongside his friend Jimmy Bendorf at the free breakfasts during the County Fair for numerous years.


On September 18, 1964, the Kiowa County Board of County Commissioners appointed Keith to the Office of Kiowa County Judge. He took the oath of Office October 1, 1964, and continued to serve the people of Kiowa County in this office until May 30, 1992, upon his mandatory retirement. He served in this position for 28 years.


He had a proud record of consistently receiving larger margins of YES retention votes during his judicial career, from 1964 - 1988. His first election began in 1964 with a 64% YES vote. Every four years his percentage of YES votes increased to a high of 85% in 1988. That was his last term in Office.


Keith was not very happy with the requirement that the State of Colorado demanded that he leave his post upon reaching 72 years of age. He didnt want to retire, and was willing to continue his duties. At that time, there was no visible reason for Judge Wissel to vacate the bench. There was talk around the community that he should file an age discrimination lawsuit! This mandatory retirement rule has since been abolished by the State of Colorado.


That, however, was not Keiths style or his demeanor. He ultimately accepted the situation with dignity and pride of a fine career of service to his county community. He then placed all of his energies into his Main Street business life.


Keith and Mary Lea purchased the Eads Flower and Gift Shop from Frank Alexander October 1, 1964, having an open house to the public on December 5, 1964. Their excellent selection of gift items and their creative floral arrangements for weddings and funerals became a well-known staple of the Eads area. They were appreciated and respected throughout southeastern Colorado for their loving and caring attitudes in both good times and bad. They always had a smile on their faces, and a twinkle in their eyes. They sold this business to the O.R. Cunningham family in July 1967, who continued to operate this business until closing.


Wissel Dry Goods opened for business October 11, 1966, operated by Keith and Mary Lea. They had purchased the existing Smiths Dry Goods from Mabel Schoggen. Their family oriented dry goods; notions, shoes and clothing store served the community until Keith closed the store 29 years later, in January 1994. After closing out the store, Keith really began his full-retired life.


Keith was a member of the Young Farmers and Homemakers, serving on several committees. He drove an Eads School District bus route for 4 years. Not only set bus routes, but also most of the traveling school activities. He was a 50-year member of American Legion Post #125. He was also a lifetime member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post #3411. The Eads Chamber of Commerce voted him their Outstanding Citizen Award in 1992.


Keith enjoyed his yard and flowers -especially roses- his fruit trees, but dont forget his grapes. One of his favorite activities was the summer camping trips he and Mary Lea would take around Colorado. They owned several camp trailers in their lives, and really enjoyed Round Mountain Campground near Lake George in Park County as well as Browns Campground at Nathrop, Colorado.


Mary Lea always brought home different and unique rocks from their travels. Keith would often talk about the large round rocks located off Highway 24 west of Colorado Springs that looked like you could just pick them up and take them home with you. However they were as large as a big truck, and how would we get them home and pull the trailer too?


Keith enjoyed people very much and was NEVER too busy to visit with anyone! About anything! He never said anything bad about other people, even though he may have been wronged. He was always positive and cheerful.


He often spoke of the times when he played football in high school, and would tell the story of how hard the barren rock and sticker filled field that they played on. He continued to enjoy attending Eads High School games until his health slowed his activities. He always watched his Denver Broncos when they played on television. The 2007 Rockies season was a proud moment for him.


Keith was also a member of the Eads United Methodist Church. He served on several elected and appointed committees throughout the years.


He began experiencing health issues, and had open-heart surgery performed in 1992. These health issues caused him to ease up a bit afterwards. He was faithful to watch church services on TV when he was not up to personally attending church in Eads.


In October 2006 Keith moved to the Prairie Pines Assisted Living facility to make his new home. He was very happy living there. The care provided to him by the staff was first rate. Friendships he made along with the social activities available to him and the other residents made life very comfortable and also secure. If he required assistance, staff was there to provide for his needs. He appreciated that his life at Prairie Pines provided independence for his living arrangements. That was his experience until a few days short of his passing. In late December he decided, himself, that he needed more skilled care and was taken to Weisbroad Memorial Hospital.


Keith E. Wissel made a large mark on this community throughout his life. He was involved with civic and social organizations, farmer, successful business entrepreneur, and an Officer of the Court. He was loved and respected by all people who knew him. Most of all, Keith will be missed greatly. His legacy is and will continue to be his positive efforts toward his upbeat outlook of life. He lived at his own unique pace. He demonstrated his love and caring for his community, the people in it and most especially, his family.