Christian Biography of Keith H. Hamel

Keith H. Hamel, the son of Henry and Freda (Kern) Hamel, was born on November 2, 1930 in Stratton, Colorado. He passed away on October 7, 2014 at his home in Kearney, Nebraska at the age of 83 years, 11 months, 5 days.

Keith graduated from the Nelson High School in Nelson, Nebraska and for a short time attended the University of Nebraska at Kearney. He met his true love and life's companion for over 57 years Shirley Reiber and on March 16, 1952 they were married at the Pauline Methodist Church.

After Keith's discharge from the Army in 1954, they made their first home together on a farm west of Oak, Nebraska. Where Keith raised hogs, took care of the cattle and farmed. After leaving the farm, they made their home in Superior, Nebraska. Keith's advancement opportunity took them from Superior to Sidney, Nebraska, making another new home and making new friends. After settling in their new home for a short time Keith decided to leave the retail business, entering into a Civil Service opportunity with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in the Sandhills of Western Nebraska.

The Sandhills gave a much more relaxed atmosphere than city life. The "Hills" also provided many more challenges with the wind, sand storms in the summer, snowstorms in winter, prairie fires, many natural lakes for boating, seeing daily white tail and mule deer, ring-necked pheasants, sharp tailed grouse and an occasional prairie chicken.

Keith started work at the Tamarac Job Corp Center as supervisor of a dormitory with 50 way ward boys. Maximum population of the center was 200 boys, mostly black, a few Spanish and a few White. In order for the family to complete tenure for retirement, Shirley again helped pack up the family, and the Beagle and they went to Beulah, Wyoming, where Keith worked until retirement at the Ranch "A" Fishery Research Center.

Before Keith retired at Ranch "A," the Hamel family moved to Sundance, Wyoming where Shirley became director over County Libraries in Moorcroft, Hulett and Sundance working closely with the public and activities through the State of Wyoming. Also, after moving to Sundance, Shirley and Keith managed and operated for 5 years the Bear Lodge Motel.

Keith was preceded in death by his parents and his wife Shirley on September 5, 2008.

He is survived by his, son, Gregory Hamel and daughter Cecilia Carrillo and husband Salvador all of Gillette, Wyoming; son, William "Bill" Hamel Denver, Colorado; brother, Kenneth Hamel and wife Lois of Nelson, Nebraska, brother-in-law Tom Reiber and wife Sue of Gibbon, Nebraska; granddaughters, Jessica Mitchell and husband Jim and Peyton Hamel, grandsons, Ryber Hamel, Martin Hamel and Shane Carrillo, five great grandchildren, Randy, Ty and Shadow Mitchell and Lane and Shawn Hamel; many nieces, nephews, cousins and a host of friends.

Graveside services were held on Thursday, October 16, 2014 at 2:00 pm from the Nora Cemetery south of Nora, Nebraska with Rev. Gary Main officiating.

Music was "Climb Every Mountain" and "Can't Help Falling in Love".

Visitation will be held on Wednesday, October 15, 2014 from 9:00 am to 8:00 pm.

Interment was in the Nora Cemetery at Nora, Nebraska.

Memorials in lieu of flowers are suggested to go the Treasured Memories Hospice Sharons Home Health, 116 North Little Horn, P.O. Box 189, Moorcroft, Wyoming 82721 0073.

Condolences may be sent to Megrue-Price Funeral Home, 750 N Commercial, Superior, Nebraska 68978 or in care of www.pricefuneralhomes.com.

Megrue-Price Funeral Home of Superior, Nebraska was in charge of the arrangements.