Obituary for Keith Leon Carder
Keith Leon Carder, 88, of Clinton, Iowa passed away peacefully, at his home, with his family at his side, on Wednesday, September 25, 2019. A visitation will be held from 3 pm to 7:30 pm on Tuesday, October 1, at Lemke Funeral Homes - South Chapel (2610 Manufacturing Drive). Funeral services will occur at 11 am on Wednesday, October 2, at Lemke Funeral Homes – South Chapel. Burial takes place at Andover Cemetery.
Keith was born September 30, 1930 in North English, Iowa, the son of Alfred and Lauretta (Ginther) Carder. Keith was a United States Navy veteran, serving during the period of the Korean war.
Keith was united in marriage to Shirley Eickert on January 16, 1952 at the North English Christian Church.
He was employed with the Chicago and Northwestern Railroad, retiring after 30+ years.
He was a former member of the Immanuel Lutheran Church and most recently a member of the First Baptist Church and good friends with Pastor Ron Lott. He was also a past Union Steward for the Chicago & Northwestern Railroad. Keith was also the owner/operator of Carder Dynamite Services – known as the “Dynamite Man” – blowing up bridges, straightening creeks for farmers and blowing up trees and stumps.
Keith had an extensive boxing career, in 1948 he won the Iowa/Cedar Rapids Golden Gloves Championships. Later on, he continued with coaching and training at the Carder & Jordan Boxing Team and the Clinton Boxing Club. Throughout his boxing career his accomplishments included State of Iowa Golden Gloves Champion and many of his young boxing students acquired Golden Glove, Silver Glove, and AAU Champion status under his coaching.
Keith enjoyed the outdoors, especially gardening and camping. He also enjoyed traveling with his wife to Texas – spending time with his family there. He also enjoyed telling jokes, playing the harmonica and loved County music.
Keith is survived by his daughters- Loretta (Phil) Coppess of Clinton, Brenda (Everett) O’Shogay of Cedar Rapids and Pam Reedy of Andover, sons –Jim Carder of Sabula and Kelly (Andrea) Carder of Clinton; several grandchildren and great-grandchildren; brother – Lee (JoEllen) Carder of Des Moines; brother in-law - Larry Helmle of Spragueville; with many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
Preceding Keith in death were his parents, his step-mother – Mildred Dietrich, wife Shirley, sons – Bruce, John and Kent; daughter Paula and son in-law Chris Reedy and brother Gordon “Timmy” Carder, sister in-laws – Pat Carder, Donna Helmle, and Bernette Andresen; Brother in-laws– Elmer (Alverta), Lester (Pat), and Lowell (Nellie) Brandenburg.
The family wishes to thank their sister, Pam, for caring for Keith these last few years at her residence. Memorials made can be directed to the family.
Keith was born September 30, 1930 in North English, Iowa, the son of Alfred and Lauretta (Ginther) Carder. Keith was a United States Navy veteran, serving during the period of the Korean war.
Keith was united in marriage to Shirley Eickert on January 16, 1952 at the North English Christian Church.
He was employed with the Chicago and Northwestern Railroad, retiring after 30+ years.
He was a former member of the Immanuel Lutheran Church and most recently a member of the First Baptist Church and good friends with Pastor Ron Lott. He was also a past Union Steward for the Chicago & Northwestern Railroad. Keith was also the owner/operator of Carder Dynamite Services – known as the “Dynamite Man” – blowing up bridges, straightening creeks for farmers and blowing up trees and stumps.
Keith had an extensive boxing career, in 1948 he won the Iowa/Cedar Rapids Golden Gloves Championships. Later on, he continued with coaching and training at the Carder & Jordan Boxing Team and the Clinton Boxing Club. Throughout his boxing career his accomplishments included State of Iowa Golden Gloves Champion and many of his young boxing students acquired Golden Glove, Silver Glove, and AAU Champion status under his coaching.
Keith enjoyed the outdoors, especially gardening and camping. He also enjoyed traveling with his wife to Texas – spending time with his family there. He also enjoyed telling jokes, playing the harmonica and loved County music.
Keith is survived by his daughters- Loretta (Phil) Coppess of Clinton, Brenda (Everett) O’Shogay of Cedar Rapids and Pam Reedy of Andover, sons –Jim Carder of Sabula and Kelly (Andrea) Carder of Clinton; several grandchildren and great-grandchildren; brother – Lee (JoEllen) Carder of Des Moines; brother in-law - Larry Helmle of Spragueville; with many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
Preceding Keith in death were his parents, his step-mother – Mildred Dietrich, wife Shirley, sons – Bruce, John and Kent; daughter Paula and son in-law Chris Reedy and brother Gordon “Timmy” Carder, sister in-laws – Pat Carder, Donna Helmle, and Bernette Andresen; Brother in-laws– Elmer (Alverta), Lester (Pat), and Lowell (Nellie) Brandenburg.
The family wishes to thank their sister, Pam, for caring for Keith these last few years at her residence. Memorials made can be directed to the family.