Obituary
Keith Alan Weiland
Keith Alan Weiland, beloved husband and father, age 67, took his last breath at home on October 20, 2020 after a short but valiant battle with pancreatic cancer. He was born to Robert and Doris Weiland here in La Crosse. Keith was a 1971 graduate of Central High School- La Crosse, a 1975 graduate of UW-La Crosse, and a 1989 MS recipient from the University of Alaska-Fairbanks. After a brief stint and a second coating of oil in the oil fields of Wyoming in 1977, Keith moved to Alaska in search of a more satisfying way of making a living. He channeled his love of fishing, the outdoors and science into a 30- year career as a fisheries biologist with the Alaska Department of Fish and Game. He received the Director’s Award for Outstanding Service in Fisheries in 2002.
In Alaska, Keith met the lovely woman who agreed to share her life with him, Maury Dawn (Grunwald). The couple succeeded in getting “their genes into the gene pool” with two amazing children, Hans and Alesha. Keith is also survived by is twin sister Karla (Collier) and older sister Karen (Naegle) as well as all of their offspring, many cousins and friends. Keith wanted a celebration of life where family and friends could talk good or bad about him at the old Varsity Club for beer and pizza. He said, “No crying allowed. Attire to be casual. I will be the one dressed in a coffee can.” Keith realized with the pandemic these plans will be on hold with possibly an outdoor picnic instead in the spring. Virtual visitation for family and friends will be announced shortly. Keith’s wishes were to have his ashes spread over Bristol Bay where under his watch over 100 million salmon were harvested. In lieu of any memorial, Keith asked that we fight to protect the world’s over 500,000 endangered species, be willing to fight climate change now or just do an act of kindness to a stranger. Coulee Region Cremation Group is assisting the family.
Dang I’ll miss you Keith! God broke the mold after you were born! Not many people are known on a first named basis but you my friend NEVER needed any introduction! Your love, kindness and generosity will never be forgotten and I’ll try every day to do kind things every day with a little wink in your direction when I do! Rest easy good friend! Say hello to your folks, Boober Doober and Anna for us!
Thank you Kenny! Gosh I sure love you and your whole clan. I will never forget your visit to Alaska. The lifelong friendship you shared with dad is so inspiring and something I hope to emulate in my life. I hope Anna and Dad are keeping each other company & looking out for us ❤️Alesha
Keith, You were a role model to me when we were kids. I’ll always remember playing at the old homestead on Farnam St on holidays with all the aunts and uncles and cousins and grandparents. I admire the life you led, and the legacy you left behind in your family and good deeds in Alaska and everywhere else you touched with your loving and kind spirit.
And to Maury, Alesha, and Hans, I am so sorry for your loss.
Sincerely,
Rick
Rick, thank you for sharing with me some of the family history, your memories and respect for the life my dad led. Beautiful life insights and cherished conversation this fall. Sending, love Alesha
Maury, Hans and Alesha,
Our deepest sympathies to your family.
Keith was truly a great man and he will be missed by all.
God’s peace and comfort to your family and all his friends.
Love,
Judy and David
Keith, you were truly one of the nicest and most upbeat guys I ever met. I know where you’re going now…may the fish always be biting up there!
Your golf buddy,
Mark “Old Hickory” Gilles
Keith…I just want to thank you for the great friendship you showed me in the few short years we knew each other. You treated me as if you had known me all your life, and for that I am truly grateful.
Weiland family,
I will always remember Keith as a generous, kind, considerate, fun person that will truly be missed. We shared a lot of laughs and a good round of golf. Hard to imagine Tuesday mornings without him.
Peace.
Keith. Your Mom & Dad were wonderful people, and the apple didn’t fall too far from the tree when it came to you and your two beautiful sisters, Karen and Karla. You were one of the nicest and most sincere friends I ever had growing up on 21st. Terrace. Many years have passed, but I thought about you often. My sincere condolences to your entire family and close friends. Always your friend, Tom Sheffer
Oh my…Keith, you were such a gem, a true bright spot in SO may lives! You made me cry, and I’ll admit, often pee myself with laughter. I can’t count how many times your smile brightened my day during my days at fish and game. You introduced me to to gin and tonics; you made Bristol Bay THE best of times. You were genuine, kind, compassionate, and so selfless. I feel extremely fortunate to have known you. Thank you, for you. Your smile and your infectious laugh will forever be ingrained in my heart. You’ll be greatly missed. For your family, I’m so sorry. May God rest his amazing soul and may you find peace in knowing he was incredibly loved by so many.
I am deeply saddened by your loss and want to express my heartfelt sympathy. May God hold you and the children in this time of mourning. I hope it brings some consolation a knowing others share in your grief. Hugs
Linda Ott
Weiland Family,
We have lost a great man. I am sending you my thoughts and prayers during this difficult time of loss and always enjoyed Keith’s smile and bright light. He will be missed by many including me. Hugs to you!
Lynn Quandahl
I’m so sorry for your loss. Alesha, his wishes at the end remind me so much of you. Sending you much love.
Thank you so much for kind words Jenn. I often forget how similar we were and how much he influenced me in wonderful ways. I so wish my college and post-college friends could have known him. You guys would have loved each other.