Keith I. Funk, 79

Keith Irwin Funk, 79, of Osage, Iowa, died Saturday, March 15, 2003, at his home, from renal cell cancer.

He was born Dec. 12, 1923, in Mitchell County, Iowa, to Roy and Mabel (Olson) Funk. He graduated from Osage High School in 1942. He served in the U.S. Army in 1945 and 1946.

On Aug. 13, 1947, he married Helen Marie Perkins of Lyle at Deer Creek Lutheran Church.

Keith worked at the St. Ansgar R.E.A. and he was an Austin City Firefighter for 21 years. Upon retirement in 1977, he built their home on a small farm in the Osage area where he enjoyed planting trees and gardening.

Survivors include his wife, Helen Funk, Osage, Iowa; daughters, Marlene (Norman) Hopkins, Rochester; Margaret (Loren) Brumm, Iowa City, Iowa; four grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; brother, Lavern "Bud" (Shirley) Funk, Osage, Iowa; sister, Lavonne (Keith) Morse, Mason City, Iowa; mother-in-law, Selma Perkins, St. Ansgar, Iowa; brother-in-law, John (Ludmilla) Perkins, Cresco, Iowa; nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

Visitation: One hour before services at the church.

Service: 2 p.m. Tuesday, March 18, 2003, at the United Church Of Christ in Osage with Rev. Robert Melhorn officiating.

Interment: Osage Cemetery.

Funeral Home: Champion- Bucheit Funeral Home, Osage.