Keith Lee Wittenhagen (1945-2018), 72, went to be home with our Lord on February 12, 2018 while holding his wife’s hand in his home. He was born on May 3, 1945 in Glendale, California to Carl and Marlys (Hodge) Wittenhagen. He met the love of his life, Nettie (Moulton), when he was 17. In 1965, at age 19, Keith came home one day to a draft notice. Although already engaged, Keith and Nettie’s moms informed them they were to get married immediately to give Keith time to enlist. To their delight, they were married the next day at The Chapel of the Bells in Las Vegas, Nevada with both of their dads by their side. The next year, Keith enlisted in the Air Force where he proudly served his country from 1966-1970, including one year in Korea. Keith and Nettie were blessed with two children, Keith William (1967) and Natalie Jean (1970). After the military, Keith attended Humboldt State University in Arcata, California where he graduated with a degree in Range Conservation. Keith and his family then moved to Miles City, Montana where Keith worked as a range conservationist for the Bureau of Land Management until he retired. Keith and Nettie lived in Miles City for 32 years before moving to Rio Rancho, New Mexico to be with their daughter, son-in-law and granddaughters.
Keith valued his faith in God above all else which made him a wonderful son, husband, father and grandfather (Papa Honey). He had a zest for life and the outdoors which led him to enjoy hunting, fishing (even ice fishing for hours on end with his best friend, Curt Kunugi), golfing, bowling, racquetball, cheering on his children and eventually three granddaughters in all of their endeavors and serving at various church functions at Grace Bible Church in Miles City and The First Baptist Church of Rio Rancho. His strong will to live, unwavering faith in God and prayers of family and friends kept him going through the death of his son in 1996 and for years as he struggled with diabetes and the complications that accompanied it.
Keith was preceded in death by his parents, Carl and Marlys; mother and father-in-law, Bill and Nettie Moulton; son, Keith Jr. and nephew, Joseph Camilierri. He is survived by his wife of 52 years, Nettie Mae Wittenhagen; daughter and son-in-law, Natalie & Juan Pacheco; grandchildren, Katarina Pacheco Leyba (married to Rudy Leyba), Nicolette Pacheco & Annalise Pacheco; sister and brother-in-law, Nancy & Richard Camillieri; nephew, Jason Camillieri and aunts, Ruth McLaury and Devona Murphy.
A visitation will be held Saturday, February 17, 2018 at 10:00 a.m. at First Baptist Church Rio Rancho, 3906 19th Ave SE, Rio Rancho, NM 87124, followed by a Funeral Service at 11:00 a.m. Interment will be held in the family lot of the Custer County Cemetery in Miles City, Montana.
Denise Harvey says
We are so sorry for your loss. A great man has left this earth to join his family beyond. He will be missed but will be remembered with cherished thoughts.
Denise and Jay Harvey
Ruben and Helen Oberlander
Eugene and Connie says
Sending you our condolences and prayers. Remembering the times we shared together. God bless your family. Connie and Gene Bankey
Jackie Schneidt says
Nettie,Natalie and family so sorry for your loss. Great picture of Keith,he didn’t change through the years. Prayers for you alll.
Jackie and Joe Schneidt
Diane Rainey says
Nettie & family, Our condolences to you and your family on the loss of a great man and friend. I immediately remembered the last time we ran into you both over at the Medora musical and hoped we would see you in the following years, but I guess we picked a different time than what you and Keith were volunteering for. God bless your family. Please let me know if I can help you in anyway.
Sheila and Arden Schwartz says
Dear Nettie and family, our hearts are saddened by the loss of dear Keith. If ever there was a couple that was one, it would be you and Keith. You were always an inspiration to Arden and I, may God who you represented so well grant you His peace, comfort and mercy during this time.
Kelli Rooney Klein says
I worked with Keith at BLM from 1989-1994. He was an awesome guy and I’m thankful for the memories. Thoughts, prayers, and condolences to his family. May God bless and comfort you all.
Maureen Larson says
Dear Nettie & family,
So sorry to hear about Keith’s passing. May God’s peace, love & comfort surround you during this difficult time.
Ron Wickline says
one of the finest people I’ve ever known..He always made me drive home from the field when we worked together. so he could take a nap. He never snored though…
Jared Bankey says
To Nettie & Family
May our Lord bless and comfort you and your family during this time of grief. Please accept my sincere condolences. I always remember the days in the neighbor hood and he was a great man. Always helping us learn to shoot hoops and never getting mad at us kids for the late night games.
Jared Bankey
Jan Munroe says
Dear Nettie, Nat, and family,
May God bless you with comfort and the knowledge you will see Keith again. It is just so hard. Keith was a dear man.
Dennis & Susan Bakken says
So very sorry for your loss.
Fred and Vicky Anderson says
Nettie, Nat and family,
We are very sorry to hear of Keith’s passing. Lots of good memories of the years when we all lived in Miles City. Our thoughts and prayers are with you in this time of sorrow.
Fred and Vicky Anderson
Dale and Ann Tribby says
Nettie and Family – We were sad to hear of Keiths passing. He and I spent many days in the field and on fire assignments. I will always consider Keith a great friend. God Bless you all.
dale & ann tribby
Pam (Moths) Nisley says
Dear Nettie and family, Praying for comfort in these days and weeks~ May you feel the loving arms of Jesus holding each of you~ Know we care! Pam (Moths) Nisley
Sandi and Jim Updyke says
Sweet Nettie and Natalie , I am so very sorry to hear of Keith’s passing. What a wonderful man he was. I hope your memories can help sustain you and also knowing the fact that Keith is with the lord and reunited with his son. May your unwavering faith help you through this most difficult time. God bless you all.
Garth Sleight says
Nettie, Natalie, and family:
Words can’t assuage the sorrow you feel at Keith’s passing. Only your faith in the Lord and the comforting influence of the Holy Spirit can heal the pain. May you be sustained by your faith, along with the tender memories of your life with Keith.
Chuck & Kathy Miller says
Our deepest sympathy to the family. May you be comforted by our Lord, and the many memories you have with Keith. We attended Grace Bible Church when we lived in Miles city.
Sandy Short says
It was a shock to see Keith’s name in the paper. Stevenson’s obituary was good. We learned about Keith’s early life; however, we already knew that he loved his family and took great care of all of you. We pray for you.
Sandy & Bob Short
Marty and Vicki Griffith says
I’m sorry to hear of Keith’s passing, he was one of the finest human beings I ever knew. I worked with Keith at BLM from 1981-1991. I really enjoyed hunting and fishing with Keith, especially the Canadian fishing trips.
God Bless and Prayers to all of Keith’s family and friends.
Eileen and Vern Entzel says
Dear Nettie & family,
So sorry to hear about Keith’s passing. May God’s peace, love & comfort surround you during this difficult time. May all the good and fun memories help you in the days ahead.
Heather Moon says
I have many fond memories of Keith – his warm friendly smile, his infectious laugh & always his sharing of what he knew with others. Keith was a big part of Kids Conservation Day held for 6th graders in Terry (I started it in memory of my conservation minded dad when my daughter was a 6th grader). Keith had an integral part in setting it up & making it the success it was (my daughter can still at age 41 tell you facts she learned!). After I moved from Terry I lost contact with Keith & the others at the BLM – but the warm feelings of friendship have never gone away.
Keep your memories alive of this wonderful man & they will see you through the days ahead. Keith will always be remembered!!
Vic and Diane Emeney says
Our hearts go out to you Nettie, but I know your faith in God will get you through 🙂 Keith was a really nice man and I’m happy you had so many years with him. I’m sorry we could not go to the funeral home to be some support, but Vic is pretty much housebound with his illnesses. Praying that God wraps His Arms around you and comforts you and your family during this time.
Mary and JL Bloom says
Nettie and family, we are so sorry for your loss. Keith was such a nice person; funny and hard working. I’ll never forget the good times out in the field. He is surely catching the big one in Heaven right now.
Patricia Hubbard says
I wish to express my sincere condolences to the family of Keith Lee Wittenhagen. May you find comfort in your loving memories of Keith and in God’s promise to see our loved ones again through the resurrection. (Acts 24:15) What a joy it will be to welcome back Keith to a beautiful, peaceful earth (Psalms 37:10,11,29) where all pain, suffering and death will be no more! (Rev 21:4) Hold on to all your happy memories and let them along with all the promises of God, who cannot lie, bring you comfort and peace! I am deeply sorry for your loss!
Larry Grossberg says
I knew Keith as he was growing up in Sunland, CA. We were neighbors and he was a very respectful and likeable person. RIP, Keith.