Keith J. Roethler

Keith John Roethler of Elma, IA left to join his lovely wife Avis in Heaven on September 20, 2021. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 AM on Monday, September 27, 2021 at Immaculate Conception Church in Elma with Father Jerry Kopacek celebrating. Military rites will be provided by Elma American Legion Post 597. Burial will be held at Calvary Cemetery in Elma. Visitation will be held from 4:00-7:00 PM on Sunday, September 26, 2021 at Conway-Markham Funeral Home in Elma, with a 3:30 PM Rosary and a 7:00 PM Scriptural Wake Service. Visitation will continue at the church one hour prior to the funeral mass on Monday. The family asks those in attendance to please wear a mask. Online condolences may be left at www.conway-markhamfh.com. Memorials may be directed to the Wounded Warrior Program. Keith was born July 3rd, 1926 at the family farm in Elma, Iowa to John and Hazel (Rhode) Roethler. He was married to Avis Balk, on August 24, 1949. He attended Elma High School and ran the projector at the Elma Theatre. He worked for Pierce Standard Station, ran the Tuloma/Schrock fertilizer plant, and then retired as a proud and valued member of the State of Iowa Agriculture Department. Keith was a member of the Army and Army Reserves for 22 years and retired as Master Sergeant. He was a member of the Immaculate Conception Church, the Knights of Columbus, the Elma Fire Department, Veterans of Foreign Wars, the American Legion and a proud member of the Maple Heights Golf Course. He marched in many parades and attended many funerals in the Military Color Guard. One of his most remarkable moments was presenting the American Flag to his Mother at his Father’s funeral. He was Master of Ceremonies for the Elma Memorial Day Program for most of 65 years. He was a proud member of the Boy Scout Court of Honor for aspiring Eagle Scouts as his two grandsons were both Eagle Scouts. In his retirement he enjoyed golf and fishing in Canada with his fishing buddies and being with his grandsons and great granddaughters. Keith is survived by his son; Creighton (Nancy) Roethler of Brooklyn, IA; grandchildren Andrew (Diane) Roethler and their daughters Lindsey and Sydney of North Liberty, IA and Christopher (Katharine Horowitz) Roethler of Minneapolis, MN; sister Wanda Ward of Charles City, IA and several nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents John and Hazel Roethler, brother Bob Roethler, sister Betty (Roethler) Meyerhoff, and niece and nephews Debbie (Meyerhoff) Voves, Bill Meyerhoff, Raymond Roethler and John Cuccuini.