Keith was born on September 17, 1954 at Sacred Heart hospital, in Fort Madison Iowa. I think that’s beautiful, because my dad had the biggest heart of anyone I’ve ever known.
He was the first born of 6 children to Elmer and Beverly Polhans (Kreie). He was preceded in death by both parents and his wife, Carrie Polhans (Bergeron), as well as his younger brother Jack and son in law Dean.
Keith married Carrie in 1996 and they were married for almost 25 years, until she passed in 2021. Together they had 3 children, but total dad had 6.
In age order: Georgeanna (Chris) Stead, Lynda (Dean) Kruzan, Keith (Crystal) Polhans Jr., Krasandra Marie Polhans, Kristin (Ethan) Polhans and Kyle Polhans.
He only got to name 3 of us, but he nicknamed all of us and any of his “adopted” kids too. Mouse, Boogie, Gator and that was the younger ones, dads monster squad. For the older 3: Gorgeous George, Sugar Bear and */$@!”: Smurf.
He also had 16 grandchildren and one great grandson on the way. His family was his entire life, especially his grandkids.
His grandkids: Alexia, Anna, Caterina, Zuzanna, Christopher, Matthew Keith, Krystal, Olivia, Lydia, Owen, Xander, Mayson Karrie, Matthew Calvin, Jayson, Andrew and Ryan. He was the best Papa and so proud.
Dad grew up in many places, but he most fondly remembered Beach, ND and of course Breeds, IL. He graduated from Canton Senior High School in 1973 and went on to become a helicopter mechanic with the United States Army at Fort Cambell in Kentucky. He had just attended his 50-year reunion this year.
Dad held many job titles over the years. He did everything from gas pump attendant, to turning a wrench, to working on many buildings, to his position in the tool crib at Morton Welding, but he would talk the most about his time as a tow truck operator in Virginia Beach, VA. He loved doing that.
The best way to describe him overall though would be a Jack of all trades. He knew how to do so many things. He loved scrapping and picking, especially with his picking buddies, he could build anything from scratch, he loved old cars and working on cars and going to any car show he could, especially with his sons and his daughter.
He worked and worked, even after he retired, he never slowed down, not even as it his illness got worse toward the end- dad truly fought as hard as he could, because that’s who he was- a fighter. He also lived, he lived a long and really cool life. Through all of it, he always had a smile on his face and he was always jamming to old school outlaw country music. Everyone who ever met him just loved him. How could you not?
That’s who he was and that’s how he’ll be remembered- as someone who loved everyone and would do anything to help. We will miss him so much; this truly is an immense loss.
We will be doing a combined graveside service for both of my parents on May 18th, 2024 at the Cuba cemetery.
We are planning a celebration of life around his birthday in September and will release details as we know them.
To anyone who ever loved my dad, thank you 🙏🏻
Know he loved you too.
-Krasandra
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