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BORN
1955
DIED
2025
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Richard Keefer Obituary
March 14, 1955 - June 10, 2025
Richard J. "Rick" Keefer, 70, of Gibbon, passed away Tuesday, June 10, 2025 at his home, surrounded by family.
Funeral services will be 10 a.m., Friday, June 27, 2025, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Shelton, with Father Josh Brown officiating. Burial will take place at the Iowa Veterans Cemetery in Adel, Iowa at a later date.
Memorials are suggested to the cancer foundation of your choice. Condolences may be shared online at www.osrfh.com. Services are entrusted to O'Brien Straatmann Redinger Funeral and Cremation Services.
Rick was born March 14, 1955, in Columbus, Neb., to Richard W. and Donna R. (Wheeler) Keefer. The family moved to Kearney, Neb. where Rick attended and graduated from Kearney Catholic High School in 1973. He enlisted into the U.S. Marine Corps on April 29, 1974, and proudly served until his honorable discharge on December 12, 1984. On August 2, 1980, he was united in marriage to Cynthia Jones in Monroe, Iowa. Rick was a longtime custodian for Grand Island Northwest High School.
Rick enjoyed fishing, hunting and gardening. He was also an avid Husker fan. Most of all, he enjoyed spending time with his family.
Left to cherish his memory are his wife, Cindy Keefer, of Gibbon; children, Catheline (Stacy) McCuddin, of Huxley, Iowa and Patrick Keefer, of Gibbon; grandchildren, Riley McCuddin, Hallie McCuddin, Madilyn McCuddin; siblings, Tim (Sheryl) Keefer, of Bellevue, Neb., Scott Keefer, of Amherst, Chirs (Mike) Lewis, of Evans, Ga., Kay (Mark) Oliver, of Auburn, Neb. and Lisa (Jai) Andrist, of Gibbon; many nieces, nephews, extended family and friends.
Rick was preceded in death by his parents.
O'Brien Straatmann Redinger Funeral and Cremation Services
4115 Ave N Kearney, NE 68847
308-234-3500
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Richard Keefer
Sponsored by O'Brien-Straatmann-Redinger Funeral Home - Kearney.
2 Entries
Randy L Gibreal
July 18, 2025
Didn't know you, but we're the same age and both Marines (1972-1976. Semper Fi Marine. At ease, I have the watch.
June 24, 2025
Dear Cyndi, 'Kids,' Grandkids, Tim, Scott, Kris, Kay, Lisa & Families, I send my deepest condolences for the loss of Rick. I just saw that we lost another Kearney Catholic 'Star' from the Class of '73. Rick may be gone from our sight but never from our hearts. As I look back on the impact he had on me & many others over many years together in school, I can´t help but smile. He was smart, a good reader, very witty, and a great guy. He always welcomed newcomers & had an instict for seeing who needed a friend. In our sophomore year, Rick & "Uncle Bob" Adams were occasionally thinking up harmless hijinks during lunch hour like hiding in the tall lockers and saying someone's name in a hilarious way as they passed by, giving them a jolt. Who knew that this future wrestler, who could scrunch himself into a locker, would grow up to be so muscular and tall?! I think he was fearless, in general, as he joined the Marines as a teenager, and I know that is the sturdiest bunch of soldiers there are, because they are usually the first to be called for duty. Even though we haven't talked since the 2018 reunion at Gary's, where Rick showed me pictures of his grandkids & told me all about them, I´ll miss him. Yes, this former Marine had a kind heart. He told me once that he enjoyed listening to the first Black rhythm & blues artists from way back in the '40s, '50s and '60s, and so do I. Rick and I are more similar than one might think. Sending my wishes from Ogallala for your grief and heartache to subside and for you to have only happy memories of your beloved one to remember when you need him. ~ Monica (Silver) Osterbuhr
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O'Brien-Straatmann-Redinger Funeral Home - Kearney4115 Ave. N P.O. Box 2344, Kearney, NE 68847
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