Dean V. Keil

Dean Vernon Keil, age 82, of Russell, Kansas, passed away, surrounded by his family, on Monday, January 15, 2024, at Wesley Medical Center in Wichita, Kansas.
Dean was born on October 20, 1941, in Great Bend, Kansas to the late John and Anna (Krug) Keil. The fifth of five children, Dean grew up on a farm in southern Russell County. He graduated from Russell High School with the Class of 1959.
On January 6, 1962, Dean was united in marriage to Margaret Winter in Russell. This union was blessed with two daughters, Cheryl and Kathy. They made their home in Russell and later divorced.
On February 18, 1989, Dean was married to Ruth Eileen (Spunaugle) Broman at Trinity United Methodist Church in Russell. Ruth brought two daughters to the family, Sandra and Sarah. Dean and Ruth made their home in Russell with Sarah, and together operated Dean's Auto Repair.
Dean was a life-long farmer. He grew up on the family farm and continued working the land his entire life. Dean began his life of hard work, farming for both his uncle George Krug and neighbor Louie Mai. He began his mechanicing career at Carl Ford out on West Highway 40 in Russell. He also learned dirt working and land leveling on the Shields Ranch in rural Osborne County, Kansas. Back in Russell he worked for Rein Williams, Inc.; Mac McLean at McLean Motors – Dodge, Plymouth, Cockshut Farm Equipment; Mahoney Implement – John Deere; and Grover Thacker of Grover's Auto Repair. In 1979, he purchased land and built Dean's Auto Repair where he worked until he officially "retired" in 2012.
Dean was a member of St. John Lutheran Church serving a term on the Church Council and always enjoyed greeting people on Sunday mornings as an usher. He was a member of the Russell Elks Lodge #1715, Noon Kiwanis Club of Russell, and the Heartland Sams camp club a Chapter of The Kansas Good Sams.
To say that Dean enjoyed farming would be an understatement. As a man of great faith, he loved to work the soil, anticipate the seasons, and watch with renewed hope every year as the crops grew and harvest time drew closer. He literally worked his whole life to support his farming habit. Ingrained in him as a small boy, his passion to care for the small piece of God's creation with which he was entrusted never left him. He spent every hour he could farming, fixing equipment to farm, maintaining the farm, or getting ready to farm. He also enjoyed working with wood and polishing rocks. Devoted to a life of tinkering, he had a creative eye and could fix anything or create anything that was needed for any job in the shop or on the farm.
Dean's surviving family include his wife of 34 years (only one month short of 35), Ruth of the home; daughters, Cheryl Nelson of Great Bend, Kansas, Kathy Louder (Mike) of Russell, Kansas, Sandra Berry (Steve) of Olathe, Kansas, and Dr. Sarah Broman Miller (Troy) of Hays, Kansas; 13 grandchildren and 11 great grandchildren.
Dean was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Marvin, Larry, and Melvin Keil; sister, Doris Maier; and granddaughter, Kristen (Luder) Salmans.
It has been said, "Agriculture is our wisest pursuit, because it will in the end contribute most to real wealth, good morals, and a life of happiness." Dean exemplified this truth every day. His passion for life, love for friends and family, devotion as a husband, father, grandfather, friend, and neighbor was unequalled by all who knew him. Although his onery spirit, dry sense of humor, and infectious laugh and smile will be greatly missed, today we rejoice. The farming tools have been laid down, the work boots are in the mud room, and the dirty gloves are hung with the sweaty hat. The work you were given is complete, rest your head and sleep in peace. We will close the gate.
Celebration of Dean's Life will be held at 11:00 AM, Friday, January 19, 2024, at St. John Lutheran Church. A private burial will take place later. Visitation will be held from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM, Thursday, January 18, 2024 at Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary with the family present to greet friends from 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM. A Memorial has been established with St. John Lutheran Church. Contributions and condolences may be sent to Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary, who is in charge of these arrangements.