Milton Keith Riley

Keith Riley, born in Des Moines, Iowa, on December 15, 1935, passed away peacefully in Jefferson, Iowa, on July 6, 2024. He was 88 years, 6 months, and 22 days old. Keith was the beloved son of Leo and Mickey (née Johnson) Riley. He spent his formative years on his parents' farm, where he developed a lifelong passion for farming.

Keith graduated from Rippey High School and proudly served his country in the Naval Reserve for nine years. On October 11, 1953, he married his high school sweetheart, Hildy Leibe, in Perry, Iowa. Together, they began their journey in a modest 28-foot by 8-foot trailer home, with a tractor, a baler, and a car.

Throughout his life, Keith balanced his love for farming with various other occupations. He hauled livestock with a semi-truck, sold cars in Rippey and Perry, and worked at Firestone in Des Moines. Keith pursued many interests throughout his life; he had a fondness for country western music, enjoyed tinkering with mechanical things, and had a deep appreciation for tractor pulls and antique cars and tractors.

Keith's legacy is one of hard work, dedication, and a deep love for his family and the land he farmed. Home was always open to family and friends. He will be dearly missed by all who knew him.

Keith is survived by his loving wife, Hildy; children, Randy Riley (Sharon) of Perry and Ginger Burrell (David) of Ames; grandchildren, Andy Riley (Jessica) of Rippey, Joshua Riley (Casey) of Dawson, Lindsey Stolte of Perry, Matthew Burrell (Becki) of Ames, and Jennifer Burrell of Ames; great-grandchildren, Brent and Max Riley of Rippey, Lilly, Lauren and Charlie Riley of Dawson, Riley and Maverick Stolte of Perry, and Finn and Gwen Burrell of Ames.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Mickey and Leo; parents-in-law, Walter and Wilma Leibe; brother, Ronnie Riley; niece, Janene Riley; nephew, Daniel Riley; great-granddaughter, Violet Grace Burrell; and many aunts, uncles, and cousins.

A visitation will be held on Monday, July 15, 2024 from 1:00 p.m.- 2:00 p.m. at Caldwell Parrish Funeral Home-Perry Chapel. Funeral service is at 2:00 p.m. with a burial to follow at the Rippey Cemetery.