A Life Well-Lived
On September 10, 1927, a boy was born to John Marston Palmer and Grace Purdy Palmer. He was delivered by his aunt on the family farm near Renwick, IA. Keith Allen Palmer was the youngest of five children.
In the third grade, he left country school and moved to Britt, IA. You remember the story: Ruth Johnson went home and told her mom about the cute new boy in her class…and the love story begins. They were married on May 27, 1945, after graduating from Britt High School, where he was known as “Shorty”. Keith was inducted into the United States Army and was a Veteran of World War II. After his return, Keith received his certificate to teach from Buena Vista. During his college years, he participated in basketball and received an honorable mention in the state junior college tournament.
Keith’s first teaching job was in Sioux Rapids, IA. Besides teaching, he was an assistant varsity football coach and coached junior high sports and boys golf for several years. By this time, he had three small children. On top of teaching and coaching, Keith was a scout, referee, bus driver, and worked weekends at a clothing store. To provide the best for his family, he always wore many hats. Keith was hired in 1958 to work for Sac City Schools and started that summer as recreational director a position he held for three years. Keith also taught math, science, and coached. From 1966 to 1968 Keith managed the Sac City Country Club. While working summers at the club he started the two-man men’s league that still continues today.
Keith was an active member in the Methodist Church, served on many boards within his community, and enjoyed volunteering. Keith coached junior high basketball, football, and track for 25 years and taught girls golf for 15 years. His greatest honor was being named junior high coach of the year for Northwest Iowa in 1976. In that year, he took his girls golf team to the Midwest Conference and won for the first time in the school’s history. 1976 was a good year! After 38 years of teaching and coaching, Keith retired in 1987. Many of his students still remember him as not only an amazing teacher, but also someone who instilled confidence, respect, and a sense of pride.
His next adventure was working for Cookies BBQ. Keith sold cookies BBQ sauce with great enthusiasm, working four routes. He and Speed Herrig had lots of fun times working the rib truck across the state of Iowa. They were great friends. In February 2020, at the age of 92, Keith gave up his last two routes and surrendered to his easy chair.
Those left to cherish his memory include daughters: Vicki Palmer (Warren Bo Bo) of Sac City, IA, and Connie (John) Greenlaw) of Fort Collins, CO; son: Lary (JoAnn) Palmer of Cortney, B.C.; three grandchildren: Leland (Caroline) Palmer of Vancouver, B.C., Robin (Lindsey) Wilson of Victoria, B.C., Andy (Whitney) Greenlaw of Fort Collins, CO; six grandchildren: Linden, Oliver and Benjamin Wilson, Kai Lopatowski, Gracie and Marley Greenlaw; many nieces, nephews, and extended family members and friends.
Keith is preceded in death by his parents, three sisters, and a brother: Genevieve Poulos (John), Virginia Obien (Kenneth), Roy Palmer (Wilma Jean), and Joyce Anderson (Robert). Also preceding him in death was his wife of 75 years.
"Mr. Palmer" "Coach", Keith passed away peacefully at his family home on March 23, 2022.
There will be a memorial in Sac City at a later date, and a family graveside service in Britt IA.
Memorials may be sent to the Keith Palmer Memorial Fund at Iowa State Bank 500 Audubon Street, Sac City, IA 50583.
