Obituary for Keith Eric Kankelfitz

Keith Eric Kankelfitz, Age 62, passed away at his home in Atkins, IA, on Sunday, May 18, 2025.

A private family service will be held later.

Keith was born on January 16, 1963, in Lincoln, Nebraska. He is the son of Elda (Doehling) and the late Roland Riese. On November 3, 1990, Keith married the love of his life, Kim Dresselhaus in Newhall, IA. He worked as a test pilot at Rockwell Collins for nearly 40 years. He had a love of airplanes and flying different aircrafts. Keith’s greatest joy was the time he spent with his children and grandchildren, attending their soccer games and bringing them lunch when he was able too.

Those left to cherish Keith’s memory is his wife, Kim of Atkins, IA; his children, Eric (Tiffany) Kankelfitz, of Cedar Rapids, IA, and Kelsey (Brad Day) Kankelfitz, of Phoenix, AZ; his grandchildren, Grant, Reagan, and Charlotte Kankelfitz; his mother, Elda Riese, of Grand Island, NE; his sisters, Carolyn (Dale) Scheerer, of Circle Pines, MN, and Brenda (Dan) Halstead, of Riverdale, ND; his two cats, Puma and Simba; his in-laws, Robert and Sandy Dresselhaus, of Apache Junction, AZ, and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his father, Roland Riese.