Keith Holthusen

Keith Allan Holthusen, 69, passed away peacefully with his loved ones by his side on February 13, 2024. Born September 18, 1954 in Rock Rapids, Iowa, Keith demonstrated early on that he would live life his way, fully. He embraced the late 1960s and early 1970s and often said he didn't think he would make it to 30, so any year after that was icing on the cake. After moving his parents from Iowa to Albuquerque, New Mexico, in 1984, Keith decided Albuquerque was a city worth exploring and moved his family there, too. Much to his sister Kay's dismay, Keith was always "the lucky one," as good luck always seemed to find its way to Keith, whether it be in work, in love, or in casinos. Keith retired at 48.5 years of age and set off on many adventures with Linda at his side. Keith loved living, loved traveling and exploring, and loved being anywhere with palm trees, good cigars, good food, and good beer. He loved the New Mexico sunsets from his back patio, dropping a fishing line in the Yellowstone River in Livingston, Montana, and dropping $100 on the bar at the 1889 in Rock Rapids. Keith is preceded in death by his parents, Wilmer and Eileen Holthusen, brother Rod Holthusen, sister Kay Reardon, and son Daniel Holthusen. Keith is survived by his wife of 27 years, Linda 'Rosa' Holthusen; daughter Haley Jessen; son Dustin Holthusen (Amanda); son Justin Wallin (Anna); daughter Nikki Astrike (Benjamin); sister Kristi King; and brother-in-law Tim Reardon. In addition to nieces, nephews, inlaws, and outlaws, Keith's grandchildren Jacob Jessen; Danielle and Amber Holthusen; Tayelor, Kyrie, and Cash Wallin; Andrew, Amanda, Eva, and William Astrike; and Cindle Bosset, lovingly called him LaLa. We will all miss him deeply and consider ourselves the lucky ones to have been part of Keith's life. Please watch a sunset in his honor with a cold beer and Padron cigar in hand. In lieu of a memorial service and in true Keith fashion, he asked for celebrations of life to take place in New Mexico, Iowa, and Montana, dates to be determined. The family would like to extend love and appreciation to Dr. Wang, Dr. Bowers, and the rest of Keith's cancer care team for providing compassionate care throughout this journey. The family would also like to thank Rust Cancer Center and Kasemen Presbyterian's inpatient hospice unit for ensuring Keith passed in peace, pain free, and with a cigar in his hand. In lieu of flowers, please donate to the American Cancer Society, Melanoma Research Alliance, Melanoma Research Foundation, or any cancer research foundation of your choice.