Paul Dennis Keetch

Paul Dennis Keetch, lifelong resident of Wardboro, Idaho, passed peacefully into Paradise on Friday, December 12, 2025.

Paul was born on July 22, 1937, to Elisha and Doris Keetch, their sixth and youngest child. Now, at the age of 88, all of Paul's predecessors have passed on. He longed for the reunion with his dear loved ones. His wife of 62 years died in March of 2020, and all of his five siblings have also departed this life - Darrell Keetch, Gwynne Quayle, Doyle Keetch, Farrell Keetch, and just recently, Joan Mapes.

As a lifelong farmer, rancher, and dairyman of the Bear Lake Valley, Paul can be described as one who, "went about doing good." He was industrious, full of fun, and his kind demeanor and easy way with others drew people to him. He was a favorite of family and friends.

Paul's greatest influencers in his life were his family. He felt blessed by his parentage, and the family into which he was born. The small school he attended in Wardboro was sparsely populated, so his playmates and mentors were his siblings, cousins, aunts, and uncles. They shepherded him, counseled him, and set the bar for a life well lived.

Paul attended Utah State University, where he studied Automotive Engineering. It was here that he met his lifelong love, Glenda Longstroth. They were married December 23, 1957, and spent the next 62 years farming together. They were blessed with three children, Paula Kim Reese (Mike), Jeffrey Todd (Tari), and Chad Kelly (Kelly). Twelve grandchildren and twenty-six great grandchildren brighten their life. One grandchild, their adored Tyler Keetch, preceded his grandparents in death.

A turning point in Paul's life was when his daughter was seriously injured in a horse accident. His desperate prayer on her behalf, and the Lord granting his plea for the life of his daughter, changed his life. After that, his family was sealed in the Logan temple, a long-awaited dream come true for his wife, Glenda. And after 'putting his hand to the plow, Paul never looked back,' but committed his life to Jesus Christ, and remained faithful to the end of his days.

Paul served as scout leader, counselor in the bishopric, high councilman, mission leader, and Bishop. Paul and Glenda served for about twelve years as temple workers in the Logan Temple. Paul said that he had always had trouble memorizing things, but as a temple worker, he was able to memorize long passages of dialogue quickly and accurately. He viewed that as a great blessing.

Paul and Glenda welcomed countless nieces and nephews and neighborhood children into their home. The warmth of their love drew kids there, to play, to eat, and to also learn how to work, and learn how to ride. Paul and Glenda fostered two little boys, Johnny and Billy, for two years, with hopes of adopting them. Their hopes were dashed when the boys were adopted by another family. They also parented Indian placement students in their home, Keith and Francis.

Paul loved the Bear Lake Valley, the farm life, and cowboy ways. He infused the values of honesty, fairness, freedom, and hard work into his family and his Bear Lake neighbors and associates. He lived the life he loved, a love of the land passed down through generations of his ancestry. He 'has fought a good fight, finished the course, and kept the faith.'

Paul Keetch will be buried in the Wardboro Cemetery on Tuesday, December 16, 2025, at 1:00 pm