Keith Shafer age 75 of Redwood Falls passed on Thursday, August 25, 2016 at Wood Dale Nursing Home.  Memorial services will be at 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, August 31 at Gloria Dei Lutheran Church in Redwood Falls.  Visitation is one hour prior to services.  Online condolences may be sent at www.stephensfuneralservice.com.  Stephens Funeral Service – Redwood Valley Funeral Home in Redwood Falls is assisting the family with arrangements.

Keith Kermit Shafer was born November 18, 1940 in Sandstone, Minnesota to Kermit and Helen (Johnson) Shafer.  He was baptized February 16, 1968 at Gloria Dei Lutheran Church.  Keith moved to the Robert Milton Home in Redwood Falls in 1967 from the Faribault State Hospital.  He worked at ZueCo Inc. doing custodial work and tool cleaning.  Keith also worked for the Valley Supper Club as a dishwasher, Central Bi-Products doing laundry, and at Tersteeg’s.  He lived in the Transitional Living program before moving into his own apartment at Lakeside Manor in 1992.  Keith was the first person to move out of the Robert Milton Home into transitional living.  After retirement, he participated in the LEAP program at Service Enterprises.  Keith was adopted by Frank and Lois Boots through the GUIDE program in the Robert Milton Home and was part of the Boots family until his death.  Keith was an active member of Gloria Dei Lutheran Church.  Everyone he met became an extended member of his family.  In 1990 Keith was Grand Marshall of the Redwood Falls parade.  He enjoyed seeing his picture in the paper.  Keith enjoyed St. John’s Jesus Cares program, Special Olympics, Bingo at the Senior Center, bowling, Adult Life Skills classes, attending sporting and community events, and going out to eat.  He moved into Wood Dale Nursing Home on March 22.

Keith is survived by his sister Esther Shafer of Lynnwood, WA; niece Lisa Shafer; great niece and nephew Amelia and Dexter Shafer, all of Seattle, WA; cousin Liz (Chuck) Christie of Blaine; several other cousins; GUIDE family Henry and Mary Jo Boots and family; and REM, Wood Dale, and SEI staff.  He is preceded in death by his parents, brother Wendell Shafer, sister Janice (Jan) Shafer, and sister-in-law Delores Ramaker Shafer.

Blessed be his memory.