Keith Albert Ashland, 81, of Mason City, passed away May 4, 2024, at MercyOne North Iowa Medical Center in Mason City.
A memorial service will be held at 12 p.m., June 19, at Ward Van Slyke Colonial Chapel, 310 1st Ave. N, Clear Lake. Visitation will take place one hour prior to the service.
Keith was born at Mercy Hospital in Mason City, on Feb. 15, 1943, son of Albert and Mary Lou (Freudenberg) Ashland. He graduated from Clear Lake High School with the class of 1961 where he participated in many sports. He later graduated from Iowa State University in 1968 with a bachelor’s degree in business. Keith spent the majority of his work life as a firefighter in Hialeah, Fla. He retired after 20 years of service. Following his retirement, he worked for four years in security at Mercy Hospital.
Keith was an all-around sports enthusiast. He appreciated sports of all kinds; but his favorite to play was golf. He enjoyed hunting and fishing whenever the season called for it. His nephews fondly remember him teaching them to fish on Clear Lake. Keith loved horse racing. His family takes comfort in knowing that he passed while preparing to watch the Kentucky Derby.
Those left to honor his memory are his son, Lance (Kim) Ashland, Rosemount, Minn.; grandsons, Clark, Salt Lake City, Utah and Danny, Bloomington, Minn.; sisters, Brenda (Jeff) Heinz,Mason City, Rosemary Norlin, Ames, and Janice Ashland, Simi Valley, Calif.; as well as many nieces and nephews, friends and extended family.
Preceding him in death are his parents; son, Brent; brothers, Jerry and Larry; and sister, Karen Ashland Schroeder.
The family wishes to send a special thanks to the staff at MercyOne Medical Center Critical Care and 4 East for their care and compassion.
The best times of Keith’s life were on and around Clear Lake. Memorials preferred to the Association for the Preservation of Clear Lake.
