Keith E. Kalnbach
April 22, 1947 – October 20, 2024
Keith Edward Kalnbach, age 77, of Lakefield Township, passed away peacefully Sunday, October 20, 2024 surrounded by his family at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota after a recent diagnosis of cancer. Keith was born on April 22, 1947 in Newberry, son of the late Warren & Marguerite (Feneley) Kalnbach.
Keith grew up in Lakefield Township and graduated from Newberry High School in 1965. After graduation, he attended Michigan Technological University and on December 15, 1967 he married the love of his life, the former Ann Auge. After graduating with an Industrial Engineering degree in 1969, he and his family made their home in Northern Minnesota working in the Mining Industry until he retired in 2001 after 32 years. He worked at both J&L Steel in Virginia, Minnesota and LTV Steel in Hoyt Lakes, Minnesota.
After retirement, Keith and Ann moved back to the Kalnbach Centennial Farm in Lakefield where they welcomed family and visitors to learn the history of the farm and other memories. Keith loved to fish (especially trout), deer hunt, and keeping a big garden with Ann. Keith shared his passion for the outdoors with his children and grandchildren, and never passed up an opportunity to go camping or snowmobiling with family and friends. He found satisfaction in fixing anything that was broken or not running like it should, furthermore considered discarding and replacing with new as wasteful. Keith’s ability to strike up a conversation with people he met on his travels, somehow always managed to find a connection to Michigan and Minnesota’s Iron Range.
Keith is survived by his loving wife of nearly 57 years, Ann Kalnbach of Lakefield Township, sons Warren (Tana) Kalnbach of Monticello, Minnesota, Michael (Lynn) Kalnbach of Duluth, Minnesota and daughter Sheila (Paul) Kauppi of East Bethel, Minnesota; seven grandsons Brett (Danielle) Kalnbach, Logan Kalnbach, Caleb Kalnbach, Mason Kalnbach, Cooper Kalnbach, Wesley Kauppi and Wyatt Kauppi; two great granddaughters Evelyn and Oaklynn. Also surviving is his brother Barry Kalnbach; brothers-in-law Rodney Richards, Mike Auge, Rob (Violet) Auge and many nephews and nieces. Proceeding him in death are his parents and his siblings Joyce LaCross, Edith Belleville and Helen Richards and infant grandson Mitchell Kauppi.
A gathering of family and friends will take place on Saturday, November 9, 2024 from 10:00 am to 11:00 am at Beaulieu Funeral Home in Newberry. A Memorial Service celebrating the life of Keith will follow at 11:00 am at the funeral home with Pastor Paul Williams, of Northstar Baptist Church, officiating. Interment will take place at the East Lakefield Cemetery.
Condolences may be expressed at www.beaulieufuneralhome.com. Beaulieu Funeral Home in Newberry is assisting the family.
