Keith Messersmith

Keith Messersmith

June 20, 1933 - Dec. 25, 2018

CAMBRIDGE, Neb. — Keith Messersmith, 85, of Farnam, Neb., died Dec. 25, 2018, in Cambridge.

Keith was born June 20, 1933, to Herbert and Zella (Adkisson) Messersmith. The family lived off the land and ate a lot of wildlife to get them through the tough times. The kids walked to school about a mile and a half from the house. If the weather was really bad, Dad would come and pick them up with the team and wagon. It was a busy life on the family farm in those days, there were many chores to do - milking cows, picking corn by hand, breaking horses and farming with a team. Keith graduated from Farnam High in 1950 at age 16.

Keith married Leora Knoll on Aug. 11, 1954. After spending two years in the U.S. Army, he came back home to farm south of Farnam. The couple made their home on the family farm and raised their four children - Garold, Mike, Pat and Pam. Keith was a lifelong farmer and was devoted to the land passed down through his family. He had a special place in his heart for John Deere equipment, Angus cattle and agriculture in general. He was a member of Farm Bureau, the American Legion and served on the Farnam United Methodist Church Board.

Survivors include his wife, Lea Messersmith of Farnam; sons, Garold of Farnam, Mike (Beth) of Gothenburg, and Pat (Sandra) of Maywood; daughter Pam (James) Glodowski of Farnam; 14 grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; his brother-in-law, Tom Vickers; along with many extended family and friends.

Keith was preceded in death by his parents and his sister, Shirley Vickers.

Visitation will be at Farnam United Methodist Church, 303 Caribou Street in Farnam, today, Dec. 28, 2018, 1 to 7 pm. with the family present from 4-6 p.m.

Funeral services will be at Farnam United Methodist Church, 303 Caribou Street, Farnam, on Saturday, Dec.29, 2018, at 3:30 p.m., with Pastor Neil Kloppenborg officiating.

Burial will be in the Farnam Cemetery, Farnam.

Memorials may be given to the Farnam United Methodist Church, 303 Caribou Street, Farnam, NE 69029 or the Frontier County Ambulance, PO Box 443, Curtis, NE 69025. To sign the online guest book, go to www.blasestrauser.com.

Blase Strauser Memorial Chapel is in charge of the arrangements.