Keith "Swede" Fastenau

Celebration of Life Services for Keith L. (Swede) Fastenau will be held on Friday, March 15, 2019 at 10:00 a.m. at the Hope Lutheran Church in rural Smithfield, Nebraska with Reverend Daniel Landin officiating.  Interment will be held in the Hope Lutheran Cemetery in rural Gosper County, Nebraska.

Keith LaVerne "Swede" Fastenau was born November 30, 1935, on the family farm north of Bertrand to Fred and Mabel (Lavene) Fastenau. He attended Rural School District #23 and graduated from Bertrand High School in 1954. His tombstone will record that he left this world on March 10, 2019, at the Elwood Care Center in Elwood, Nebraska, but his spirit still lives on through his acts of kindness, his ornery nature, his thoughtful advice and his love for family and friends.

Swede was blessed with two loves of his life. The first, Miriam (High) "Shorts" Fastenau, whom he married December 23, 1956, and together they raised a happy and crazy family of four kids: Mary, Jane, Jim and Amy. Swede and Shorts were a dynamic duo who worked together leading 4-H clubs, raising money for community buildings and helping to shape Hope Lutheran Church. We all remember them drinking coffee, counseling, guiding and loving so many people around their kitchen table on the farm north of town.

He was devastated by Shorts' death on April 22, 2000—however, he learned to love again and on January 11, 2003, he married Charlotte (Lennemann) Post-Fastenau. Charlotte and Swede found each other at the right time in life and discovered love the second time around.

He had other loves—his cows, his kids, his grandkids and Nebraska football. A plaque on the wall at the Fastenau farm reads, "There are two things you can give your children; one is roots, and the other is wings." At times, Swede wondered if there was too much emphasis on wings as his children and grandchildren scattered around the country. Still, the Fastenau farm and a dad's love were the true constants in their lives. It was easier with his cows; they stayed where Swede put them.

After a stroke in February 2016, Swede found another family at Elwood Care Center, another home filled with love. The staff cared for him as if he was their own father or grandfather. Swede's kids are forever indebted to the amazing people at ECC who made his last three years a true joy.

Swede's dedication to his community started with his church, Hope Lutheran in rural Smithfield, where he was a church council member, Luther League sponsor, head usher for 40 years, and in charge of the cemetery.

In addition, he served these organizations: Phelps Memorial Health Center board member; South Central Co-Op Board director (multiple terms); USDA Gosper County Farm Service (10-year service award); Bertrand Lion's Club president four times, while the baseball diamonds were built; Bertrand Community Pool Association president; Phelps/Gosper County Feeder Association board member and president; Nebraska Cattleman's Association board member; Bertrand Ag Society president, while the community building and 4-H barn were built and rodeo grounds renovated; American Gelbvieh Association and Gelbvieh Association of Nebraska member; Gosper County Natural Resources District board member; and Gosper County Fair board member.

Awards he was honored to receive were: Gosper County 4-H Council Certificate of Appreciation, 2018; Phelps-Gosper Pioneer Feeder Award, 2002; Aksarben Foundation Pioneer Farm Award recognizing farm families who have consecutively held ownership of farmland for 100 years in 1992; and All-Conference high school football player.

He is survived by his wife, Charlotte Post-Fastenau; his four children: daughter, Mary Fastenau (John Flanagan) of Honolulu, Hawaii; daughter, Jane Fastenau of Lafayette, Colorado; son, Jim Fastenau of Omaha; and daughter, Amy Fastenau (Mike Michel) of Minneapolis, Minnesota. He had eight grandchildren, who were the joy of his life. They are Paige Fastenau Edwards (Andrew) of Olathe, Kansas; Spenser Marshall of Portland, Oregon; Celia Marshall (Sam Violette) of Seattle, Washington; Jack Marshall of Seattle; Aveline Marshall of St. Paul, Minnesota; Enzo Marshall of Lafayette, Colorado; Charlie Fastenau of Omaha, Nebraska; and Harrison Fastenau of Omaha, Nebraska. He had one great grandchild, Emerson Edwards, of Olathe, Kansas; and sister, Loretta (Leroy Kuck) of Bertrand, Nebraska. He was also blessed to have relationships with Charlotte's four children and their families: Terry and Roberta Post of McPherson, Kansas; Deb (Post) and Bob Cromer of Denver, Colorado; Tracy and Starla Post of Beatrice, Nebraska; and Troy and Jan Post of North Bend, Nebraska; and sisters-in-law: Betty Hoppe Stevens of Farnam, Nebraska; and Jacque Hueftle Stroup of Holdrege; as well as numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

He is joining the following people in heaven; his parents, Fred and Mabel (Lavene) Fastenau; sister and brother-in-law, Sam and Wauneta "Nita" (Fastenau) Stroup; sister and brother-in-law, Bob and Rogene (Fastenau) Stroup; and the following brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law: Robert and Dorothy High; Jim and Doris High; and Ken and Joan Stevens.

Visitation will be held on Thursday, March 14, 2019 from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. with the family greeting from 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the Hope Lutheran Church in rural Smithfield.

Because of their gratitude for the care he received for the last three years of his life, the family is creating a scholarship program for the staff at the Elwood Care Center. Memorials can be made to the Elwood Area Foundation, 314 Smith Ave., PO Box 303, Elwood, NE 68937 with the designation "Swede Fastenau Memorial." Online donations can be made at http://www.elwoodfoundation.org/donate.html . Write "Swede Fastenau Memorial" in the area labeled "Special Instruction to Seller" and click the Donate button.

Live stream of services will be at www.hopelutheranchurch.co

Expressions of caring and kindness can be sent to the family at www.nelsonbauerfh.com

The Nelson-Bauer Funeral Home in Holdrege is in charge of the arrangements.