Keith Dallas Joekel

Keith Dallas Joekel, 87, of Adams, formerly of Sterling, passed away at the Gold Crest Retirement Center in Adams Tuesday morning, Jan. 24, 2017. He was born on Sept. 22, 1929 in Lewiston, to William and Milda (Fritz) Joekel, and he was a 1948 graduate of Lewiston High School.

He enjoyed hunting, fishing, honey bees, and doing taxidermy while growing up. Keith married Betty Buehler on May 27, 1952 near Sterling. Keith served his country in the United States Army from Feb. 24, 1953 until Feb. 18, 1955. He had been stationed at Fort Riley Kan., and then in Germany for one year in the Combat Engineers as Sargent in Nuremberg. He then served in the Army Reserves for four additional years. He was a member of the Hopewell United Methodist Church near Adams, and had served as Sunday School superintendent and treasurer, trustee, and chairman of numerous committees; member of the Adams Legion and VFW clubs; Gideon's in Beatrice; named Honorary Chapter Farmer by the Lewiston FFA Chapter; named Outstanding Young Farmer of The Year Award in 1964 by the Beatrice Jaycees; 1991 Aksarben Award for his farm being in his family for 100 years; former 4-H Livestock Leader. Keith was dedicated to preserving the land, was one of the first farmers in Johnson County to plant soybeans, and enjoyed being with his family.

Survivors include his daughter Beth Firkins and husband Michael of Omaha; two sons, Reverend Kenneth Joekel and wife Doreen of Beatrice, and Roger Joekel and wife Kathy of Gering; seven grandchildren Kady Agena, Kyle Joekel, John Joekel and wife Mindy, Libby Joekel, Krista Firkins, Hailey Peirce and husband Nicholas, and Drew Firkins; five great grandchildren Hailey, Abby, Marissa, and Emmy Joekel, and Reese Agena; and brother Ronald Joekel of Omaha. Keith was preceded in death by his parents William and Milda (Fritz) Joekel; wife Betty (2009); and grandson Jeffrey Joekel.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, Jan. 30, 2017 at the Hopewell United Methodist Church near Adams with Reverend Rob Clark officiating. Interment will be in the Hopewell Church Cemetery with Military Honors provided by the Adams American Legion. The body will lie in state Sunday from noon-8 p.m. at the Griffiths-Hovendick Chapel in Beatrice, with the family greeting friends there from 4-6 p.m., and at the church one hour preceding the service on Monday. A family prayer service will be held at 10:45 a.m. Monday at the church. A memorial has been established to the family's choice with Roger Unvert in charge. Sign Keith's online guestbook and view his video tribute when completed at www.ghchapel.com.

These services have been entrusted to the Griffiths-Hovendick Chapel in Beatrice.