Keith Sandfort

Funeral Services for Keith W. Sandfort will be conducted from the First United Methodist Church in Holdrege, Nebraska on Friday, July 1, 2011 at 10:30 a.m. with Reverend Dale Lambert, officiating. Interment will be in the Prairie Home Cemetery at Holdrege.

Keith Walden Sandfort, 83 years of age, of Holdrege, passed away on Saturday, June 25, 2011 at the Christian Homes Care Community at Holdrege. Keith was born December 6, 1927 on the family farm, in Richardson County, Nebraska, the third of five children born to Edward and Esther (Fricke) Sandfort. He received his primary education from Hazeldell District #13 and the Lynchburg District School, later graduating from Humboldt High School with the class of 1945. He then pursued higher education from Nebraska Wesleyan, receiving his Bachelors in Education in 1950.

Following his education, Keith was encouraged by coaches and teammates at Nebraska Wesleyan to try out for the Cincinnati Reds Baseball team. Keith had a great arm, played right field and was a great hitter. He ultimately chose a teaching career and became a great coach.

Keith taught for a total of 38 years. He started his career in Juniata, followed by Lincoln Southeast and retired from the Holdrege Public Schools in 1989. Keith's career in education included being a guidance counselor and teaching Physical Education, Physical Science and Chemistry in addition to his coaching responsibilities.

On June 20, 1965, Keith was united in marriage to Shirley D. Johnson in Burwell, Nebraska. To this union two children were born: Brian and Andrea.

Keith loved golfing, fishing, hunting, bowling and many other activities. His favorite pass times were being with his kids, grandkids, and friends and cheering on the Holdrege Dusters, Nebraska Cornhuskers, and St. Louis Cardinals. He also enjoyed calling Bingo at the Holdrege Memorial Homes. He was a member of the First United Methodist Church, the United Methodist Men and Kiwanis.

Keith was preceded in death by his parents and father-in-law and mother-in-law: Edgar and Gladys Johnson.

He leaves to mourn his wife, Shirley of Holdrege; son, Brian Sandfort and his wife, Gretchen of West Des Moines, Iowa and children Payton, Pryce and Piper; daughter, Andrea Hernandez and husband, Roberto of Henderson, Nevada and children, Analiese and Bronson; three brothers: Robert Sandfort and his wife, Lenore of Brock, Nebraska, Wayne Sandfort and his wife, Ginger of Berthoud, Colorado, and Charles Sandfort and his wife, Jean of Humboldt, Nebraska; sister, Lenore "Lorrie" Spencer of Lincoln, Nebraska; brothers-in-law, Lonny Johnson and his wife, Vivian of Pflugerville, Texas, Randall Johnson and his wife, Jane of Burwell, Nebraska, and Donald and wife, Liana Johnson of Sterling, Colorado; sisters-in-law, Bonita Lambert and her husband, Sidney of Sparta, Georgia and Genevieve Straka of Casper, Wyoming, along with a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Visitation will be held on Thursday, June 30, 2011 from 1:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. with the family greeting from 6:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. at the Nelson-Bauer Funeral Home in Holdrege.

A memorial has been established in his memory and kindly suggested to the First United Methodist Church of Holdrege or the Donor's choice.

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.