Keith Riedel

1947 - 2020

Keith Riedel passed away quickly at home on December 12, 2020, following several years of health issues.

Keith was born to Jack and Dolly Riedel, the third oldest of six children. He grew up in the Tukwila neighborhood and graduated from Foster High School. He joined the US Army for two years and served in Vietnam. In 1969 he married, Karen, his wife of 51 years. They raised two sons, Matt and Brandon.

Keith and his wife lived in various locations, starting out in West Seattle, moving to Florida for two years, then returning to Seattle, and then moving to the Monroe area where they lived for over 40 years. He built his own home and developed the acreage into his desired oasis.

Keith's work career began when he was young, painting mailboxes and mowing lawns for his neighbors. He then moved on to being a gas station attendant. While in high school he hired on with Bethlehem Steel, becoming a crane millwright. He worked there prior to and after his service in the army.

Keith and his wife, Karen were fortunate to spend six months traveling the US in his 1936 Packard. They later moved to Florida for 2 years where he worked as a mechanic and maintenance man at a campground, built truck canopies for a local company, and earned a degree in Building Construction Technology.

Upon returning to West Seattle, Keith did several different jobs, mobile home accessory work and working for Adam's True Hardware in Lake Stevens. His greatest challenge and pleasure, though, was starting his own construction company. He ran that for over 30 years.

Keith made many friends over the years. He loved the work coop we belonged to and enjoyed having friends and families that shared an annual great 4th of July party with us for almost fifteen years.

During his retirement years he volunteered and held office with the Monroe Lions Club and was especially interested in their support of Camp Leo (camp for diabetic children). He also volunteered with the local Monroe Community Senior Center, serving on the Board. He did some maintenance and building projects with them as well as the Monroe Historical Society.

Keith loved wood working and had participated in a carving group, wood working projects at home, and helping to build his oldest son's home in Sedro-Woolley.

Keith is survived by his wife, Karen; sons Matt (Jenee') and Brandon (LeAnne) from Colorado, and four grandchildren and three great grandchildren. He also had five siblings; Sylvia (deceased), Joeleen, Colleen, Paul (deceased), and Shawn.

In lieu of flowers, please give to your favorite charity or to the Monroe Lions Club marked for Camp Leo scholarships.

October 13, 1947 - December 12, 2020