Keith Elmer Carson, 85 died Saturday, July 16, 2005 at St. Luke's Living Center East. Services will be 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, July 19 at St. John Lutheran Church , with Rev. Jeff Borgwardt presiding. Burial will follow services in Anderson Cemetery , Swisher. Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Monday, July 18 at Brosh Chapel, Cedar Rapids , and for an hour prior to services Tuesday at the church.

Keith was born November 29, 1919 in Derby the son of Lloyd and Mabel Perdue Carson. He moved to Cedar Rapids when he was 3 years old. He attended McKinley High School until his last year and moved to Ely, where he graduated in 1937.

After graduation he met and married Gladys Kulhavy. They were married November 26th, 1941 at First Lutheran Church , Cedar Rapids . He farmed many years of his life in the Central City, Coggon, Lamont and Walker areas. While farming he worked various other jobs including: Cryovac, Cedar Rapids Engineering / Kwikway, Farm Bureau Service, and Iowa Airfreight. .

Keith was involved in many activities and social groups. He loved his community and was actively trying to bring improvement to it. Among the organizations were Sons of the American Revolution, 4-H Member and Leader, Ely Friendship Club, Town and Country, O.I.L. (Older Iowa Legislators), special police in Ely, President of Ely Senior Housing, member and former council member of St. John Lutheran Church , Shepherd of the Desert in Sun City , Arizona . He helped start the Neighborhood Watch, Visiting Nurses and Senior Dining programs all in Ely.

He is survived by his wife Gladys; sons: David (Judie) Carson of Wheatland, John (Julie) Carson of Mission Viejo, California, and Tim (Christine) Carson of Cedar Rapids; a daughter Marjorie Carson-Zach of Cedar Rapids; Grandchildren: Dennis (Leigh) Carson, Daryl (Julie) Carson, Dani and Katie Carson, Joshua and Jenna Zach, Curt and Luke Carson; greatgrandchildren: Janay and Blake Carson and Austin Burgdorf; a sister-in-law Wilma Carson.

Preceded in death by a son, Michael Carson, his parents, and brothers Roy Carson and Leon (Mary) Carson.

Memorials may be directed to Stem Cell Research, Parkinsons Research and or St. John Lutheran Church .