Keith Arthur Riley, the son of Albert and Lula (Warnock) Riley, was born on July 24, 1936, in Corning, Iowa. He was raised and educated in Corning, IA, graduating with the “Class of 1953”. He graduated school at the age of 16 years. During his senior year, he drove bus for the school district on the rural routes.
In 1956 Keith married Vivienne Bloom, together the couple had 2 children, Sharon and Sandra. Vivienne passed away in 1961. Keith married Nancy Gunter in 1962, the couple had one child, Susan. They later divorced. In 1970 Keith married Bev Armour and was blessed with 2 step-children, Alicia and Rob. The couple were both foster care providers and had over 50 foster children they helped. Barbie was Keiths special foster child that he helped for 17 years until she passed away after a long battle with spina-bifida. Bev passed away in 1999. In 2000 Keith married Patsy Powell and the couple have been happily married since.
Keith worked at Geise Construction, drove truck for Morton Foods, was the manager at the United Coop gas division, the General Manager for Umthun Trucking, and the owner of Eagle Sanitation. After retirement he worked for Bennet Drive-Away delivering motor homes around the United States where he achieved the million-mile award.
Keith was the mayor of Eagle Grove for 14 years and took pride in his title. He enjoyed fishing in Canada, loved music and played the drums in a band, and he was a very accomplished dancer participating in many competitions.
Keith passed away on April 6th, 2025, at Rotary Senior Living, Eagle Grove, at the age of 88 years. He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Vivienne; wife, Beverly; son, Butch Mason; son-in-law’s: Dan Kemnitz, Jeff Schiller, Ray Burras and David Carson; brother, Don Riley; sister, Opal Schmanke, and step-children: Rob and Alicia.
Keith is survived by his wife, Patsy Riley; daughters: Sharon Stelzer (John), Sandra Foster (Todd), Susan Kemnitz, Janette Roulston (Gary) and Margaret Carson; son, Eddie Mason (Jeanette); grandchildren: Jennifer Contreras, Jonathon Schiller, Tana Motley (Landis), Kade Beehrle (Alysha), Daniel Kemnitz Jr, Brandon Burras(Bree), Rachel Helmke, Rebekah Johnson, Drew Carson, Mitchell Carson, Carli Carson, Bridgett Hood, Melissa Turner, Matthew Mason and Joshua Mason, and many great-grandchildren.
Visitation was from 4 to 6 p.m. on Monday April 14th at Foust Funeral Home in Eagle Grove. A funeral service was at 1:30 p.m. on Tuesday April 15th at First Baptist Church in Eagle Grove. Burial at Rose Hill Cemetery in Eagle Grove.
Memorials may be left to the discretion of the family.
