Keith Zerr

Keith Gerard Zerr, 63, of Gove, KS, died Friday, July 9th, 2021, at Gove County Medical Center, after a difficult and well-fought battle with cancer. He was born in Oakley, KS; the fourth child to Peter C. and Blanche Zerr.

Forever in a hurry to get where he was going, he was nearly born in the car on the way to the hospital. As a child, he enjoyed playing games with his siblings and cousins. Keith remembered having very few toys in those days, so they played many of the “classic” games—baseball, football, Red Rover, kick-the-can, tag, and hide-and-seek, just to name a few. Keith’s favorite games were the ones his sister, Lynette, just made up, and of course, the miniature farm that he and his brother, Darren, created under the backyard trees. Some of Keith’s favorite memories were the family vacations with the Joneses that covered almost every inch of the state of Colorado. Until his last breath, Keith and his family were very close. In addition to his three brothers and one sister, Keith had more than 70 cousins, and each and every one of them held a special place in his heart.

Keith graduated from Wheatland High School in May of 1976. From there he attended Fort Hays State University to pursue a degree in agribusiness, which he earned in 1980. Keith returned home to continue working with his father on the family farm near Gove, where he went on to meet the love of his life, Jacky Heier. They were later married in May of 1986 and went on to have five children.

Growing up, Keith remembered his family enjoying music—and soon, music became a large part of his life too. He first enjoyed the piano and then the saxophone. At Fort Hays State, he was introduced to his favorite instrument: the guitar. Not counting family and the Lord, this hobby was the love of his life. Through the years, he played in several bands, singing, and playing guitar, and was lucky enough to form lifelong friendships along the way. Ultimately, his passion and talent earned him his nickname “Keith Guitar Zerr”—which stuck with him ever since. His favorite guitar experience was playing for Mass at St. Agnes, and his biggest regret was having that cut short just as he was getting the hang of it.

Keith felt very fortunate to have had a successful career in agriculture. This labor of love was largely successful because of his loving and understanding wife, Jacky; a wonderful partner in his older brother, Kevin; a solid foundation laid by his parents and grandparents; and finally, the dedicated efforts of his children.

Keith is survived by his wife, Jacky Zerr, of Gove, KS; his five children, Jordan Zerr, of Cedar Falls, Iowa, Jason (Whitney) Zerr, of Grainfield, KS, Kenton (Jennifer) Zerr, of Overland Park, KS, Kaitlyn (Keaton) Knott of Leawood, KS, and Kirsten Zerr (fiancé Collin Schmidt) of Overland Park, KS; his grandchildren, Liam, Eli, and Natalie Zerr (Jason and Whitney’s), Luca and Noah Zerr (Kenton and Jennifer’s); his mother, Blanche Zerr, of Quinter, KS; and his four siblings, Dennis Zerr, of Garden City, KS, Kevin Zerr (Peggy Huelsman) of Perry, KS, Lynette (Terry) Steinbrecher, of Denver, CO, and Darren (Sherri) Zerr, of Baldwin City, KS. Keith was preceded in death by his father, Peter C. Zerr and sister-in-law, Karen Zerr.

Visitation is 5-7:00 p.m. Monday, July 12, 2021, at the St. Agnes Education Center, Grainfield, with a vigil at 7:00 p.m. Funeral Mass is 10:00 a.m. Tuesday, July 13, 2021, at St. Agnes Church Grainfield, with Burial in the Grainfield Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the Grainfield Knights of Columbus and sent in care of Baalmann Mortuary, PO Box 204, Oakley, KS 67748. For information or condolences visit www.baalmannmortuary.com