Thomas "Tom" Keitges

Thomas “Tom” Keitges, 83, of Onawa, Iowa passed away Tuesday, August 5, 2025 at Burgess Health Center, Onawa, Iowa.

Memorial services will be held at 2:00 P.M. Saturday, September 27, 2025 at the Goslar Funeral Home Chapel with Jack Gibler, officiating. Military Honors will be provided by the United States Army and the David McNeill American Legion Post #129, of Onawa, Iowa. A luncheon will follow the memorial service at Frannie’s Café, Onawa, Iowa. A live stream of the service will be posted on the Goslar Funeral Home website with Tom’s obituary. Arrangements are under the direction of Goslar Funeral Home and Monuments, Onawa, Iowa.

Thomas Lynn Keitges was born July 9, 1942 in Inglewood, California, the son of Francis and Irene (St. Onge) Keitges. Tom grew up in Onawa and was a proud Eagle Scout during his youth. He graduated from Onawa High School with the class of 1961. After high school, Tom was drafted in the United States Army and was honorably discharged December 31, 1969. He was stationed in Germany during the cold war period.

Tom and Gene Bangert were united into marriage in Onawa in 1975. To this union two children were born, Anthony “Tony” and Christopher “Chris”. The couple later divorced.

Tom spent many years working as a skilled carpenter for Kiewit in Omaha, Nebraska. Following his time in carpentry, he helped build Libby Dam in Montana and the construction of missile silos in North Dakota, and also helped build the power plant at Fort Calhoun, Nebraska. Eventually, Tom returned to Onawa to take over the family business, Keitges Tobacco—a wholesale enterprise originally established by his grandfather and later operated by his father.

Tom had a deep love for the outdoors and spent countless hours fishing and hunting. One of his greatest joys was guiding elk hunts at Fritzlan’s Ranch in Meeker, Colorado, where he shared his passion and expertise with others. Outside of the wilderness, Tom enjoyed dancing, cruising around in his truck, and sharing morning coffee with his buddies — a cherished daily ritual. He also gave back to his community as a volunteer firefighter in Onawa.

Survivors include his longtime friend, Laura Oliver of Onawa, Iowa; his children, Tony (Jamie) Keitges of Omaha, Nebraska and Chris (Andrea) Keitges of Branson West, Missouri; grandchildren, Nathan, Jessica, Allison, and Jace; one brother, Jim (Myrna) Keitges of Laguna Woods, California; two sisters, Kathy (Fred) Rizk of Battle Lake, Minnesota and Mary (Duane) Dudley of Shell Knob, Missouri; and many nieces and nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Francis and Irene (St. Onge) Keitges.

Condolences may be left online for the family at www.goslarfuneralhome.com

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