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Ronald Keefer, 71

Ronald Lee Keefer, 71, of Hayden, Idaho, unexpectedly passed away April 18, 2019, of natural causes. He was born in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, the second oldest of three boys to Morris and Dorothy (Darling) Keefer.

He spent most of his childhood living in Spokane, Wash. He was a graduate of Shadle Park High School (1965) and later graduated from Eastern Washington University with a degree in education.

In 1975, he married the love of his life, Carolyn (Schutz) Keefer. The proud parents of two sons, their lives were spent side-by-side on the sidelines as their sons’ biggest fans or actively engaged in a variety of church and community projects. Ron’s happiest moments came when he was working alongside others for a common good.

Ron found great joy in teaching and developing children to reach their highest potential, both scholastically and in athletics. He spent 29 of his 34 years as an elementary educator, teaching in the Coeur d’Alene School District. His students may remember him best for introducing them to rocketry and square dancing as part of their curriculum. He was genuinely interested in people and always ready to lend a helping hand. He found great satisfaction constructing playground equipment throughout Northern Idaho schools, churches and homes.

Ron will be lovingly remembered by his wife and best friend of 43 years, Carolyn, and their two sons, Jerid (Jen) and Chad (Tiffany) and brother, Glenn. Ron will also be fondly remembered by those who called him Papa, his grandchildren; Kade, Kash, Kennedy, Blake, Sloane and Kwin.

A celebration of Ron’s life will be held at 1 p.m. on Thursday, May 2, 2019, at Lake City Community Church, 6000 N. Ramsey Road in Coeur d’Alene, with Pastor Craig Sumey officiating. Yates Funeral Home is in care of the arrangements.

In lieu of flowers, the Keefer family asks that memorial donations be made to one of Ron’s recent passions: First Presbyterian Church Children’s Ministry, 521 E. Lakeside Ave., Coeur d’Alene, ID 83814 (1stpresdowntown.org) or the new Ronald McDonald House at Kootenai Health, c/o Washington Trust Bank, 218 E. Lakeside Ave., Coeur d’Alene, ID 83814 (rmhcinlandnw.org). You may visit Ron’s online memorial and sign his guest book at www.yatesfuneralhomes.com