Keith Albert Wood, 91, of Kearney, Nebraska, passed away peacefully on September 7th, 2026. He was born on September 26th, 1934, in Benkelman, Nebraska, to Claude Albert and Emma Francis (Kuhns) Wood. Keith graduated from Dundy County High School in Benkelman, Nebraska. He continued his education at McCook Community College, where he met his bride, Barbara Cotton. They were married in McCook at the United Methodist Church on November 26, 1954. Keith was a member of the Order of the Eastern Star, the Masons, the Dundy County Rural Fire Department, and maintained the Hiawatha Cemetery.

Keith and Barbara settled 16 miles South of Imperial in Dundy County, where they raised their daughters, Lynnel (David) Heaton of Speedway, IN. Rhonda (Mike) Kathol of Kearney, NE. Bobette (Jody) Maier of Colby, KS. To provide for his family, He worked with his father on the farmstead, drove the school bus for CCHS, and enjoyed the sports activities, especially wrestling. He worked as a butcher at Hoff’s Super Market in Wauneta, NE, and sold Keltgen Seed and Archer Oil. Keith enjoyed hunting, fishing, welding, and raising and training German Shorthair Pointers, watching Husker football and volleyball, but most of all, being around his family.

Keith is survived by his five grandchildren: Nate Kathol of Denver, CO; Ethan Maier of Colby, KS; Emma Maier of Kearney, NE; Lydia Kathol of Omaha, NE; and Isabelle Kathol of Kearney, NE, and many nieces and nephews. Keith was preceded in death by his parents, his sisters Annette (Kaye) Wilson and Doralee (Marvin) Hoffler, his nephew Van Wilson, and his niece Ellen Roy.

In the final hours of Keith’s death, Barbara told Keith, “You're going to go see Jesus, and you need to behave and do what Jesus tells you to do.”

A funeral service will be held at 3:00 p.m. (MT) Friday, September 11, at Imperial Methodist Church, 420 Holland Street, Imperial. Visitation one hour prior. Interment to follow at Mount Hope Cemetery in Imperial.

Memorial contributions may be made to Keith’s family for a designation later.