James Lee Keach

Lake Mills: James L (Jim) Keach passed away on Tuesday Jan. 6, 2015 at the Select Specialty Hospital, Madison, WI. Jim was born in Watertown on July 29, 1946, the son of the late Edgar and Margaret Keach. He was baptized and confirmed at Zion Lutheran Church in Clyman. He graduated from Lakeside Lutheran High School in Lake Mills and UW Whitewater. Jim served his country in the U.S. Army, having completed his tour of duty in Vietnam. On June 8, 1968 he married the former Peggy Berner at St. John Ev. Lutheran Church in Waterloo. Together they raised their two beloved sons Jay and Kurt in the Waterloo area. Jim had worked for Central Warehousing in Watertown, the University of Wisconsin Whitewater, and retired from the University of Wisconsin Madison. During Jim's semi-retirement he worked for his son Kurt at Keach Lawn Service. Jim spent many hours with Kurt mowing and trimming, and often joked about Kurt being his boss. Come the spring of 2015 Jim will be dearly missed when he isn't riding around on one of those mowers. Jim was an avid sportsman, hunting with his son Kurt, and with his brothers and nephews at the Keach hunting cabin. He enjoyed fishing with Jay, and with fishing buddies/grandsons Brandon and Austin. He shared a special bond with his granddaughter Brittney. Jim enjoyed all sports, and drove Jay to his grandchildren's activities. He was looking forward to Brittney participating in track at UW LaCrosse and Austin's last two years in high school. He enjoyed trap shooting with Brandon. Jim is survived by his wife Peggy, sons Jay and Kurt, grandchildren Brandon, Brittney and Austin whom he adored; brothers Gordon (Joyce), Wayne (Grace), and Dale (Barbara) Keach. He is further survived by Peggy's family; sisters Evelyn (John) Lueck, Marie (Mel) Mertz, Elaine (Gerald) Bauman, brother Richard (Carol) Berner, sister-in-law Darolyn Berner, many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. Jim was preceded in death by his parents, brother and sister-in-law Keith (Betty) Keach, sister-in-law Lynne Keach, mother and father-in-law Ruth and Arthur Berner, brother-in-law Robert Berner and sister in-law Norma Berner, and two special nieces Wendy Bockhorst and Julie Meyer. A memorial service will be held at St. John Ev. Lutheran Church in Waterloo on Sunday Jan. 11, 2015 with Pastor Thomas Wilsmann officiating. Visitation will be from 12:00 P.M. to time of services at 2:00 P.M. If desired, memorials may be given in Jim's name to St. John Church or School, Lakeside Lutheran High School, or the charity of one's choice. The Steinke Funeral Home of Lake Geneva is serving the family. www.steinkefuneralhomeinc.com Visitation Sunday, January 11th, 2015 12:00pm - 2:00pm, St. John Evangelical Lutheran Church 365 E Madison Street Waterloo, WI 53594 Service Information Sunday, January 11th, 2015 2:00pm, St. John Evangelical Lutheran Church 365 E Madison Street Waterloo, WI 53594