ATKINS:  Frederick Carl Keiper, 96, died Saturday, June 14, 2008 at his residence following a sudden illness.
     Funeral Services will be held at 10:30 AM, Wednesday, June 18, 2008 at St. Stephen's Lutheran Church in Atkins with Rev. Douglas Woltemath officiating.  Interment will be held at St. Stephen's Cemetery near Atkins.  The visitation will also be held at the church in Atkins from 4 to 7 PM on Tuesday.  A Memorial Fund has been established for St. Stephen's  Lutheran Church and the Lutheran Hour.  Phillips Funeral Home in Vinton is in charge of arrangements.
     Fred, known to family and friends as "Fritz" was born November 12, 1911 to Henry and Katharina "Katie" (Rinderknecht) Keiper at Atkins.  He became a child of God through baptism on December 10, 1911 at St. Stephen's Lutheran Church in Atkins. On April 5, 1925, he affirmed his baptismal faith through for rite of confirmation at St. Stephen's.
     On August 3, 1933 he was united in marriage to Ella C. Behrens at St. John's Lutheran Church near Victor.  She preceded him in death on Mary 8, 2005.
     Fred worked for National Refining Oil Co. until 1938 when he moved to a farm near Deep River and ran a dairy operation.  Five years later Fred and Ella moved east of Atkins where they farmed until 1976.  Fred continued to custom combine for several years before retiring from the farm.
     He was a member of St. Stephen's Lutheran Church where he served his congregation as an elder, school board member and chairman of the Fellowship Club.
     Throughout his life, Fred enjoyed many sports, ranging from baseball and softball to dart ball and horseshoes.  He also hunted, fished and golfed.  He bowled for over 60 years.  Most recently he spent his mornings playing cards with his brothers and some friends at the Atkins library.
     He will be missed, but those who loved him are reassured that he is at everlasting peace with his Lord.
     He is survived by his daughter, Sharon Keiper Peters and husband, Bill of Cedar Rapids; his brothers, Irvin Keiper and wife, Delores and Raymond and wife, Betty, all of Atkins; his sister, Esto Jennings of Atkins; grandchildren, Jennifer Peters of St. Louis, Will Peters and Crystal, and great-grandchild, Joseph John Peters, all of Cedar Rapids.
     In addition to his parents and wife, he was preceded in death his daughter, Patricia and his sister, Milda Keiper Heitshusen.