Keith Weigel

keith weigel
Keith William Weigel age 66 of Maple Grove, MN, formerly of New Hampton, IA, died Monday, September 5, 2022, at North Memorial Hospital in Robbinsdale, MN, from complications of pneumonia.A Memorial Mass will be held at 5:30 p.m. Sunday, September 18, 2022, at Holy Family Parish in New Hampton. A visitation will be held from 2 to 5 p.m. on Sunday, September 18, 2022, at Hugeback-Johnson Funeral Home. Online condolences for Keith’s family can be left at hugebackfuneralhome.com. For those unable to attend the Mass in person please join the family via the link below. https://foveo.stream/hugeback-johnson/keith-william-weigelKeith was born on November, 19, 1955, in San Diego, California, where his father was serving his country in the U.S. Navy. His birth began an extraordinary life of selfless giving to not only his family, but, to his legions of friends and to his community. Keith was the oldest of William and Marlene (Laures) Weigel’s eight children, and he was a wonderful big brother to Wes, Rick, Bruce, Joe, Luann, Mary and Connie. They remember that Keith “made sure that no food was wasted at the table” and his sisters still fondly recall Keith coming to the breakfast table, massaging their ear lobes and wishing them a good morning. He grew up in New Hampton, where he was a stellar student at St. Joseph Community School and New Hampton High School. Keith grew to be an outstanding athlete for the Chickasaws — quarterbacking the football team, playing guard on the basketball squad and starring as a switch-hitting, all-state third baseman for the baseball team. Keith also was his class president and active with the National Honor Society and Letterman’s Club at New Hampton. After graduating from high school in 1974, Keith headed to the University of Iowa, where he played baseball for the Hawkeyes during his freshman year and was a member of the Delta Upsilon fraternity, serving as the chapter president for multiple years. Even after he gave up baseball, he remained active — playing intramural sports and quarterbacking the flag football championship team that included his brother Wes and won that title in Kinnick Stadium. Keith had a zest for life, and, as successful as he was in high school and college, that was really just the beginning. After receiving his BA degree in business administration, with an emphasis in finance, from Iowa, he worked for a couple of years as a field representative for Delta Upsilon, visiting fraternities in a number of states and sharing his ideas and helping chapters reach their goals. Moving back to New Hampton, he ran a successful independent financial service for a number of years and was elected to the Iowa House of Representatives, serving four terms representing residents of Chickasaw, Winneshiek and Howard county at the Statehouse in Des Moines. Keith was elected as a Democrat. He was proud of the fact that he was more about people than party. Some might have thought Keith was “too honest to be a politician,” but for eight years in Des Moines, he did his best to represent his constituents, once writing “you, the people of this district, are important to me.” The many accomplishments in athletics, school, and in life don’t tell the entire tale of Keith Weigel’s life. The rest of his story is the most important part, for it attests to the fact that at his core, Keith believed in love and kindness. In 1990, Keith met Wendy Miller Sorensen at a Knights of Columbus softball tournament, and they eventually began dating and fell in love. They had a long-distance relationship — Keith lived in New Hampton; Wendy in Maple Grove, but boy oh boy, they made it work because they shared the same values. They were married on Aug. 2, 1997. Keith’s friends often joked about Keith’s “Vera,” referring to the popular TV sitcom in which one of the characters, Norm, talked about his wife who never appeared on screen. Wendy had four children —Eric, Paul, Kara and Krista — and Keith won them over. He was, quite simply, always there for them, and they can’t say enough about what Keith meant to them and did for them. Yet as good as a father as he was, Keith was a rock star as a grandpa to Mikayla, Mason, Levi, Caleb, Grace, Kaylee, Logan and Eliana. He rarely missed any of their activities, be it sports, dance or anything else. Keith eventually moved to the twin cities. He spent several years as the advocacy director for AARP in Minnesota, but his focus during his “Minnesota years” was on his family. He loved traveling with Wendy, and together, they led tours spanning the globe. Once you traveled with Keith and Wendy, you were hooked because they were such gracious, helpful hosts. Keith was a natural leader, but he also had a tender heart. He always rooted for the underdog, and anyone who knew him, will never forget that infectious smile or the integrity that he carried with him throughout his life. We all wanted Keith to spend more time with us, but for 24,398 days, he made the world a better place, a much better place. He was a guiding light to so many, and he leaves a legacy built around family, faith and values. As difficult as it is to say goodbye to this special man, those who love him the most not only know that Mom and Dad greeted him in Heaven but they also will carry their cherished memories of Keith with them for the rest of their lives. Survivors include his wife, Wendy of Maple Grove, MN; sons, Eric (Melissa) Sorensen of Otsego, MN, Paul (Sarah) Sorensen of Plymouth, MN; daughters, Kara (Ryan) Caldwell of Plymouth, MN, Krista (Kevin) Asmus of Ramsey, MN; eight grandchildren, Mikayla, Mason, Levi, Caleb, Grace, Kaylee, Logan, Eliana; brothers, Wes (Terri) Weigel of Fitchburg, WI, Rick (Luann) Grinnell, IA, Bruce (Callie) of Elma, IA, Joe (Pat) Weigel of Clear Lake, IA; sisters, Luann (Jeff) Woodward of Waterloo, Mary (Phil) Mahoney, Connie (Dennis) Njus, all of New Hampton. He was preceded in death by his parents; his mother & father-in-law, Laura Mae and Lester Miller; brother-in-law, Scott Miller

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  1. Deepest sympathy to Keith’s family. He was a very wonderful man. Keeping everyone in our thoughts and prayers.
    😪🙏🙏

  2. So sorry to hear about Keith’s passing.. amazing person and classmate starting at St Joseph’s Catholic school in 1st grade. You will be greatly missed by so many❤️

  3. Connie and all of Keith’s family. So sorry to hear about Keith, love, hugs and prayers coming your way. Randy and Mary Jane Leach

  4. Sending thoughts and prayers to Wendy n the entire Weigel family! Very sorry to hear this news!🙏🙏🙏❤️🙏

  5. Love, sympathies and prayers to Keith’s amazing family, Wendy and Keith’s stepchildren and Grandchildren. Keith was a dear, faithful and family man and friend to so many! I will miss his smile, welcoming spirit and gentle demeanor! Rest In Peace my friend!!

  6. My deepest sympathy to all of Keith’s family. He was a great guy, he will truly be missed. God rest his soul. 🙏

  7. Dear Weigel Family~Sending much love and sympathy to all of you. Keith was a guiding light, gentleman and an example to all. Please know that you are in our thoughts and prayers.

  8. We have so many great memories of the 70’s and 80’s playing ball and socializing. He really was an all around awesome person. Please accept our sympathy and hugs for the entire family.

  9. My deepest sympathy to the entire Weigel family. Keith was a classmate of mine (Class of 1974) and he was a great guy. Always friendly. Prayers to all 🙏

  10. Sad news! My deepest sympathy to the Weigel family. 🙏🏼 Prayers of comfort during this difficult time. God Bless

  11. Our deepest sympathy, love & prayers to the entire Weigel family ! Keith was a Blessing to all who knew him ! Rest in Peace dear friend ! 🙏❤️

  12. I am so very sorry for your loss. Keith was a very remarkable man. He was a true leader for our class thru all the years and someone we all admired.

  13. Our deepest sympathies to the Weigel families, may God guide you and comfort you through the difficult days ahead 🙏

  14. I am so sorry to hear of Keith’s passing. We had fun times back in the 80’s. My deepest condolences to the Weigel family.

  15. All our prayers to Keith’s family. As a classmate of mine he was always considerate and a great guy. May he rest in peace. Jeanne(Geerts) and David Roder

  16. Connie I am so sad to hear the news of Keith’s passing. I have so many memories of him as a kid. I pray God comforts for your dear family during such a difficult time.

  17. So sorry to hear of your loss. Regards to the entire Weigel family. He was such a good person and we remember him fondly.

  18. Our hearts are saddened to hear of Keith’s passing…such a gentle man gone too soon. Extending our most heartfelt sympathy to his wife and family, and to all of the Weigel families. There’s a new angel in Heaven…Rest In Peace, Keith.

  19. We are so very sorry to hear this sad news! Sympathy and prayers to Wendy,their kids and the entire Weigel family. Another great guy gone to soon! Sending hugs and prayers!😔🙏

  20. My deepest sympathy to all of Keith’s family and friends! My thoughts and prayers are with all of you! 🙏💕

  21. Lowell and I got to know Keith as a neighbor and a friend. We are heartbroken to hear this sad news. Wendy and family, you know better than we what a kind and wonderful man Keith was! He demonstrated such a level head and commitment while serving on our association board all of those years! He always smiled and had kind words to say. Keith, you will be missed and not forgotten. Wendy, our heart aches for you. Please know you and your family are truly in our prayers. Kris and Lowell Zimmerman

  22. We thought this bouquet would remind you of Keiths vibrant life. We are praying for the family. With our deepest sympathy.

  23. So sorry to hear about Keith, he was so humble in school & fun to be around, I had him in home room….Thnking of u Connie!!!!

  24. Dear Wendy, On behalf of all of us on the June Bermuda cruise, we extend our sincerest sympathies to you and your family. Georgiana, Henry, Frances, and all your other sailing friends.

  25. Keith touched so many lives. We send our sympathies and prayer. May his legacy live on in all whose lives he impacted.

  26. So very sorry to read this. Such a great guy. Keeping all of the Weigel family in my thoughts and prayers

  27. The many, many tributes to Keith are an obvious testimony to a man who touched so many people’s lives and in such kind and caring ways. I had the pleasure of meeting Keith as an underclassman in college. He has always been a role model for me. Rest in Peace Keith.

  28. God saw you getting tired, And a cure was not to be So he put his arms around you and whispered, “Now you come to me” . With tearful eyes we watched you, and saw you pass away, and although we love you dearly uncle, we could not make you stay. A Golden heart stop beating, hard working hands at rest, God broke our hearts to prove to us, He only takes the best. All our Love, Maggie & Dan Kersey

  29. Connie and the entire Weigel Family, you have our deepest sympathy! Our thoughts and prayers are with you! God bless!

  30. My deepest condolences to the whole family. The heavens gained another angel. What a good man he was here on earth. He was always a joy to have around. My heart goes out to you all. God Bless. Hugs with love. Patti Miller Hayes xo ❤️ 🙏

  31. Keith Weigel family – so sorry for the loss of a great man and friend – fond memories playing baseball with the Braves during our college years. God Bless!

  32. I don’t recall EVER seeing Keith without that big, memorable smile on his face! Truly one of the good guys – a great friend and teammate. To the Weigel family, I think the number of Tributes on this wall says it all. RIP.

  33. Keith was a good soul from growing up in New Hampton and as seen through the tributes, his entire life! My deepest sympathy to his family, may all of your memories of Keith bring you peace.

  34. Our deepest sympathy to the Weigel family. Keith was such a sweet soul and always full of laughter. He will truly be missed by so many. God Bless. Gary and Terry Ball

  35. Deepest sympathy to the Weigel family. So many wonderful memories of Keith. Truly a good man who left a positive mark on this world. RIP classmate, teammate and friend.

  36. My sympathy to the entire Weigel family – a great guy. Fond memories of our competitions in baseball and basketball when Turkey Valley and New Hampton played each other. May he rest in peace!

  37. Condolences to the Weigel family. I worked for Keith in Des Moines when he was a State Representative. He was such a great lawmaker. Worked very hard for his constituents. I’m so so sorry for your loss.

  38. Dave and I send our sympathy to the Weigel family. Connie, we are so sorry for your loss, Keith will be missed by all his friends and great memories by all who knew him.

  39. Our sincere condolences to the entire Weigel family. Keith was a great guy. I remember we asked Keith for some assistance on a personal matter when he was a State Representative in Des Moines and he took it on for us without any hesitation. He was such a great lawmaker and worked hard for all Iowans. We are so sorry for your loss.

  40. Our deepest sympathies to the Weigel family. Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you during this very difficult time. Keith will be truly missed by all. 💕🙏💕 Dan & Cathy Shatek

  41. Could not be sadder with this news. Saw Keith for the first time in years at Larry’s celebration of life and as usual he made everyone feel better. Josie and I against you and Eddie were such great days. Cheers sir to a Life well Lived….

  42. So sorry our deepest sympathy for the Weigel family. I’ll cherish my time with Keith on the ball diamond. One of New Hampton greatest.

  43. Hard to find words……My memories of Keith start in first grade and extend all the way through high school, and I can hardly remember a time seeing Keith without a smile! SO smart, SO friendly, SO talented!
    I remember a BB game at Charles City where Keith, Tommy C. and the rest of the team were tearing up the floor! Charles City had a name for Keith, I think it was something like Wacker! They couldn’t stand him because he was SO DARN GOOD! Our Chickasaws won an incredibly close game at, or very near, the buzzer!
    Thank-you, Keith, for being a big part of our 1974 graduating class! We will never forget you! Sincere condolences to all of Keith’s family and circle of close friends. Truly a tough one to lose so young!❤

  44. I got to now Keith primarily through his brother and my good friend, Wesley. I was around Keith in his prime athletic years at New Hampton and U of Iowa,( being on the New Hampton baseball and basketball teams and a fellow DU at U of I, with him and his brother Wes) I had the privilege of watching Keith from front row seats, the bench, lol. He was an outstanding athlete and a pleasure to watch, I really looked up to him, but most importantly I looked up to him for his outstanding character as leader, his strong integrity, along with his good natured friendliness. Sadly enough I hadn’t seen Keith for years, but after reading his obituary I can tell he had not changed a bit, sometimes it does seem only the good die young, and he was ” A Good One!” My thoughts and prayers go out to his family. From an old friend and teammate. Robin

  45. Sincere sympathy to the family at your loss . Keith was gone too soon but God must have needed him more than his earthly family. May he Rest In Peace.


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