Keith Fahey

Keith W. Fahey, 82, of Waukon, IA, died Friday, February 3, 2017, at his home surrounded by family. Funeral services will be held Wednesday, February 8th, at 11:00 AM at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Waukon with Rev. Msgr. Ed Lechtenberg and Fr. Donald Hawes officiating. Burial with military honors will be at Mt. Olivet Cemetery, Waukon. Friends may call from 4:00 PM - 8:00 PM Tuesday at Martin Funeral Home in Waukon, where there will be a 3:30 PM scripture service.

Keith was born on July 22, 1934, to Joseph and Mary (Howes) Fahey at Veterans Memorial Hospital in Waukon, IA. He attended P. Ridge country school through 5th grade before graduating from St. Patrick High School in 1952. He became a Private First Class in the U.S. Army after completing army training at Camp Carson, CO. Keith married Frances Teeling in 1956, and was then stationed for over a year in Germany. While in Germany, they took advantage of their adventure and made sure they explored Switzerland, Austria, and Italy.

After serving in the army, they returned home to Allamakee County to farm with his brothers and dad. He eventually purchased his own farm on West Ridge and became an original member of the Cattlemen's Association and Iowa Pork Producers. His pride was in his Simmental cattle.

In 1989, he took a position as office manager at Nutrena Feeds in Waukon, and later became a territory manager for Yoder Feeds and also opened Fahey Feed Service on the south side of town. In 1992, after years of farming and supporting local farmers, he made a career change. Keith became a professional semi driver for C.R. England out of Salt Lake City, UT. Keith lived out his passion for learning and enjoying God's creations as he spent the next 7 years driving across all 48 states. He convinced his wife Frannie to become his team driver in 1996. He eventually retired from C.R. England, but couldn't give up his love of trucking. Through retirement he continued to drive for a multitude of small business owners and journeyed across country.

In 2001, Keith and Frannie became snowbirds, spending winters in Donna, TX. Some of Keith's most enjoyable times were with fellow winter Texans, especially those from Allamakee County. All his life, Keith loved to socialize with friends: whether it was playing cards, watching the Hawkeyes, shooting pool, sharing morning coffee, discussing the news, or just sharing a laugh. Most importantly he enjoyed spending time with his family.

He has nine children: David (deceased), Karen (Brian) Burke of Waukon, Laure (David) Weymiller of New Albin, IA, Julie (Scott) Lubahn of Winona, MN, Janice (Murray) Rattray of Round Rock, TX, Marcia (Don) Sadler of Cedar Rapids, IA, Greg Fahey of Waukon, Ron Fahey of Chicago, IL, and Renee (Ronn) Thies of Onalaska, WI. He has 29 grandchildren and 26 great-grandchildren.  He is also survived by wife Frannie of Waukon, his sister Evelyn (Bill) Chapman of Tomah, WI, and sister-in-law Mary Fahey of Waukon. He was preceded in death by his parents, sister Catherine, and two brothers Paul (Jean) and Kenneth Fahey.

Honorary casketbearers are Christian Fahey, Alex and Brent Lubahn, Timothy Sadler, Mitchell Thies, Oliver Vera, and Frank and Marcus Weymiller. Casketbearers are Brad Burke, Kyle Lubahn, Ross Weymiller, Kevin Sadler, and Mason and David Fahey.