KEYSTONE:  Merle "Keith" Ohde, age 81, died Monday, February 5, 2007 at his residence following a sudden illness.
     Funeral Services will be held at 10:30 AM, Thursday, February 8, 2007 at St. John Lutheran Church in Keystone with Rev. Dr. James Eggert officiating.  Interment will be held at the Keystone Cemetery with Graveside Military Rites conducted by Merkel-Bockholt American Legion Post #107 of Keystone.  Friends may call at Phillips Funeral Home Chapel in Keystone from 4 to 7 PM on Wednesday.  A Memorial Fund has been established.
      Keith was born Januaury 26, 1926 at Keystone to John and Laura (Bockholt) Ohde and he graduated from the Keystone High School in 1943.  During World War II he served his nation in the US Army.
     On September 17, 1947 he married Lavonne Bender at Cedar Rapids.  Keith was employed as a seed salesman most of his life and prior to his retirement he served as the Manager of the Keystone Mercantile.  He was a member of St. John Lutheran Church, the Merkel-Bockholt American Legion Post #107, the Keystone Turners, and the Keystone Volunteer Fire Dept..  In his leisure he enjoyed gardening, golf and playing cards.
     Keith is survived by his wife, Lavonne of Keystone; his sons and daughters-in-law, Steven and Vicki Ohde and Don and Gayla Ohde, and his daughter and son-in-law, Lori and Mike Mitchell, all of Cedar Rapids; six grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; and his brother and sister-in-law, Willard and Mildred Ohde of Keystone.
     In addition to his parents, infant son, Hal Dean Ohde; his brother, Wayne Ohde, and his sister, Marjorie Werning preceded him in death.