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Keast, Craig
Craig Keast, 50, of Mount Vernon, died Saturday, July 9, 2011, at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics. Celebration of Life Service, 10 a.m. July 22, at the Mount Vernon United Methodist Church, by the Rev. Bill Daylong and Pastor Becky High. Craig's visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. July 21 at Morgan Funeral Choices, Mount Vernon.
Surviving Craig are his family, Kristi, Mount Vernon; daughter, Eliza and husband David Easker and their son Noah, Iowa City; and two sons, Aaron and Gabriel and his daughter Sabrina Jones, Cedar Rapids.
Craig is also survived by Sabrina's mother, Stephanie and her son, Kaleb Jones, Hiawatha; two sisters, Laurie and husband Dean Jorgensen and their daughters, Andrea and Jennie and their families, Broomfield, Colo., and Jodi and husband Dave Recker and their sons, Jordan and Joey Recker, Lancaster, Wis.; Craig's father, Darrell Keast, Apache Junction, Ariz.; and his special four-legged friend, Maggie.
Preceding Craig in death was his mother, Anna Mae Keast; and grandparents, Marion and Helen Keast and Lyle and Maxine Norris.
Craig was born April 14, 1961, in Greenfield, Iowa, the second child of Darrell and Anna Mae Norris Keast. He graduated from Audubon High School in 1979 and Westmar College at Le Mars in 1983.
Craig married Kristi Baier on May 28, 1982. He started his professional career with KKRL, radio station as a broadcaster in Carroll, including serving as program director. Craig worked for Orion Food System for many years. He and his family moved to Mount Vernon from Carroll in 1991. Craig most recently worked for Sauter-Baty Architects, Mount Vernon. He was a member of the United Methodist Church and church choirs.
Craig had a passion for music and theater. He was active Community Theater, Carroll and Mount Vernon, also in the Chancel Choir and the Praise Team at church. Craig last acted in “Among Friends,” a presentation of the Last Supper.
Craig enjoyed his family, especially his grandchildren. He loved to cook and was noted for his specialty, “Craigfooyung.” Craig collected and worked on Volkswagen Beetles and enjoyed displaying at car shows in the Midwest.
A memorial fund has been established.
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