Oct. 15, 1957 ~ Dec. 4, 2023
Sutton resident David Alan Keim, 66, passed away Monday, Dec. 4, 2023, at Mary Lanning Healthcare in Hastings.
Funeral services were conducted at 11:00 a.m., Friday, Dec. 8, 2023, at the Davenport United Methodist Church in Davenport, NE with Pastor Warren Schoming officiating. In honoring his wishes, cremation took place after the funeral service. Private Inurnment will be at the Sutton Cemetery at a later date.
Memorial contributions may be directed to the family to be designated later. Condolences may be left at www. suttonmemorial.com. David was born in Hebron, NE on October 19, 1957, to Joe and Georgia (Bice) Keim, David grew into a man that found his joy in serving others. Growing up, David attended Davenport Community School, graduating in 1976. He received his associates degree from Central Community College in Hastings, NE. He spent much of his life devoted to farming alongside his father, a pursuit that brought him immense satisfaction and pride. He was a member of the Davenport United Methodist Church where he would fill in for the minister whenever they might be gone. David was actively involved in many community activities, serving on several boards including the Davenport Community School Board, the Village of Davenport Board, the County Farm Bureau Board, the Davenport Jaycees, and the Davenport Achievement Board.
For many who lived in Davenport, David might also be remembered as the guy who fixed the cable tv; rewired their houses; plowed snow out of their driveways; ran the video, sound and lighting for some events; and was master of ceremonies or the entertainment for other events. They might remember his calming presence responding to emergencies as an EMT with Davenport Volunteer Fire and Rescue. Or they might remember his endless patience and his laugh as he handed out gifts as Santa’s Helper.
He could be found everywhere. For a time, he could be found loitering in the Davenport Lumber Yard, talking to the young woman, Janice Nunnenkamp who worked there. She didn’t go out with him the first time he asked. But he was persistent. In February 1982, David played Tony Kirby to Janice’s Alice Sycamore in the Thayer County Community Theater production of You Can’t Take it With You. There is no evidence to suggest that David cajoled Janice into auditioning just so he could play her love interest. Some things just work out that way. Later that year, the two had returned from a theatre board meeting. At the fourway stop, in the heart of Davenport, David proposed. And that’s how it happened that on March 26, 1983, in the middle of a heavy spring blizzard, the two were wed at St. Mark’s Evangelical Lutheran Church in Sutton, NE.
A little over ten years later, on August 1, 1993, a new act began when David and Janice drove to Scottsbluff to meet Dona. She was two. They took her to the zoo that day. A year later, after the adoption went through, they had their daughter. It would be among the happiest moments of his life.
David would go on to do HVAC work for Superior-Deshler in Deshler. He was involved in both the community and school in Waco, NE after his family moved there. While in Waco he worked for Central Nebraska Refrigeration in York, NE.
David faced significant health challenges, enduring more than his fair share. A man who had dedicated his life to helping others, David had to learn to accept care in return. Throughout these trials, his unwavering focus remained on what he valued most: family, friends, and faith.
David was preceded in death by his parents, Joe and Georgia Keim, as well as his wife’s parents Fred and Laura Nunnenkamp.
He is survived by his family: wife, Janice Keim, of Sutton; daughter, Dona Griess and her husband, Garrett Griess, of Sutton; and cherished grandchildren, Briella and Ryker Griess. Siblings: Kathy Keim of Davenport; James (Christi) Keim of Lincoln; and Trish (Mike) Thorell of Omaha. Brothers- in-law and sisters-in-law: Kenneth Nunnenkamp (Janice Samuelson); Ardean (Linda) Nunnenkamp; and Lyle (Debra) Nunnenkamp, all of Sutton. Nephews and nieces: Mason Keim, Ava Keim, Olivia Thorell, Elin Thorell, Bradley Nunnenkamp; Crystal (Jason) Friesen; Michele (Tracy) Malousek; Suzanne Nunnenkamp; Clint (Summer) Nunnenkamp; Jason (Rebecca) Nunnenkamp; Anthony (Elizabeth) Nunnenkamp; Brett Nunnenkamp; Dustin (Amanda) Nunnenkamp; and Ashley (Grant) Ray.
