Keith Anthony Kasieta

IRONWOOD, Mich. - We are sad to share that our brother, Keith Kasieta, passed away unexpectedly from an apparent heart attack at his home. Keith was 58 and was born on Nov. 11, 1959, in Camden, N.J.

Keith graduated from Luther L. Wright High School in 1978 and many remember him by his nickname. Fuji. After high school he attended Michigan Technological University for one year and then lived and worked in Minneapolis and California for a period of time. Keith spent most of his adult life in Ironwood, but as children, we had the opportunity to live in a number of different states and Japan.

Keith was preceded in death by his father, Stanley.

He is survived by his mother, Mieko, of King, Wis., and siblings, Cynthia (Mark) Parry, of Lenexa, Kan., Karen (Joe) Huotari, of Lakeville, Minn., Arlene (Tom) Schneller, of Ironwood, Cheryl (Roger) Fahrner, of Stevens Point, Wis., Michelle (Tim) Jourdan, of Bloomington, Minn., Shawn Kasieta, of Forest Lake, Minn., and Kiyomi (Hiroaki) Tomori, of Naha, Okinawa, Japan. He is also survived by many nephews and nieces.

We will deeply miss our brother, remembering fondly all that was good in him – he was loved. Growing up Keith was the smart, athletic and handsome one in our family. As an adult, Keith lived with mental illness, a condition he didn't acknowledge; he chose to lead a quiet and simple life. We mention mental illness only to raise awareness and decrease the stigma. Throughout his life we continued to only want the best for him. Keith was a talented and meticulous woodworker, a skill he picked up from our father. He also enjoyed going to the local library, watching movies and thrift shopping.

The family is planning a private memorial celebration in September. In memory of Keith we ask that donations go to two of his favorite places to visit: The Friends of the Ironwood Carnegie Library or St. Vincent de Paul in Ironwood.

To send online condolences, please visit mckevittpatrickfuneralhome.com.