Keith Tatge

KEITH EARL TATGE

Luzerne

Keith Earl Tatge, 78, passed away peacefully Dec. 28, 2015, at his home in Kingman, Ariz., after a brief but intense fight with cancer. Nine days prior to his passing, his beloved wife of 26 years, Sally, passed away.

Keith was born Oct. 17, 1937, to Earl and Dorothy Tatge. After losing both parents in a car accident when he was 7 years old, he was raised in Webster City, Iowa, by Edward (A.C.) and Cenelia Wurch.

Keith is survived by his brother, Wayne (Betty) Tatge of Temple, Texas; and adopted sisters, Judy (Duane) Seil of Farnhamville and Diane (Russell) Jensen of Humboldt; as well as numerous cousins, nieces and nephews.

Keith graduated from high school in 1955 in Blairsburg and at the age of 18, he began his lifelong career as a trucker until he retired in 2014. Keith and Beverly Merril married in 1956. They had two children, Susan (Jon) Heupel of Waverly and Keith (Cheryl) of Brighton, Mo. He and Connie Wright married in 1964 in Michigan and later moved to Utah were they raised their children, Jill of Roy, Utah, and Brian of Wixom, Mich.

Job opportunities took the family to Santa Maria, Calif., where Connie passed away from cancer in 1985. Into this extended family were born grandchildren, Aubrey, Angela, Kari, Corey and Kayla. Keith married the love of his life, Sally Marsh, on June 11, 1989. As his trucking/scheduling partner for over 20 years, Sally "always made sure he had a load to haul" and traveled with him as she was able. Keith was a loving stepfather to daughters, Roberta (Robert) Greathouse and Cindy Marsh of California and grandpa to Kaitlin Greathouse.

In addition to being very active with trucking and traveling, Keith was an avid golfer, die-hard Denver Broncos fan and a huge fan of "The Duke," John Wayne. He loved animals, especially his companion on the road min-pin, BJ (Big Jake), several miniature schnauzers, cats and fish. Keith was there to help plan the best road of travel, near or far and that would get you there on time. After he retired, he planted a beautiful garden and explored his love of vegetable gardening, canning and most of all, cooking. He was always looking for and trying out new recipes.

Memorial services will be held at 11:30 a.m. Saturday, April 23, at the Lutheran Cemetery, Luzerne. A luncheon will follow at 12:30 p.m. at the Luzerne Fire Station.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be sent to the Joan & Diana Hospice House, 812 Airway Ave., Kingman, AZ 86409.

Phillips Funeral Home, Keystone, is in charge of arrangements.