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MANKATO -- Keith Allen Booker, age 45, died on Jan. 28, 2021 at his residence in Mankato.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 2, at Christ the King Lutheran Church in New Ulm with Pastor Tim Anderson officiating.
Visitation will be from 9-11 a.m. on Tuesday at the church in New Ulm.
The funeral service will be live-streamed through the Minnesota Valley Funeral Home's Facebook page starting at 11 am on Tuesday.
The Minnesota Valley Funeral Homes of New Ulm are assisting the family with arrangements at this time. To leave an online condolence for his family, or to sign the guestbook, go to: mvfh.org
All guests in attendance at the visitation and service will be asked to wear a mask, and social distancing guidelines must be practiced.
Keith was born on Oct. 17, 1975 in Stuttgart Germany to Ken and Pat Booker, then both serving in the US Army. During his infancy, Keith mysteriously and unexpectedly developed serious neurological and other medical issues, which continued until he died. Despite an untold number of hospitalizations, surgeries and various treatments over the majority of his life, Keith always had a strong will to survive. He loved life and recovered -- often against incredible medical odds for 45 years -- until his body just became too tired, and needed to rest. He is a true warrior and leaves behind a legacy of strength and tenacity.
Keith moved with his parents to New Ulm in 1977. He was baptized at Trinity Lutheran Church in Boyd. Keith attended public school in New Ulm/Special Education and graduated in 1993. He then moved into a local group home and participated in activities at Enterprise North, New Ulm for several years. He was an active participant in Special Olympics and won several medals for bowling.
Keith became fascinated with lawn mowers at an early age and enjoyed pushing his own customized mower in the backyard. Other activities he enjoyed were throwing a ball, vacuuming, a variety of game shows, walks, putting puzzles together, sensory toys, playing cards and throwing dice. Keith loved watching Vikings football games with mom and dad and became an avid fan of the nightly news with Dan Rather. One of his favorite outings was riding in the pickup truck with his dad - which occurred on a regular basis over the past 20 years.
Keith was a very sociable guy - a real "people person." Throughout his life, Keith has always been very affectionate, and loved giving and receiving hugs and kisses. Keith loved all of his family, but had a special connection with his grandma Helen. He had a beautiful, infectious smile and big blue twinkly eyes, Keith also had a mischievous side to his personality, but with a fun, playful spirit.
Keith is survived by his parents and many aunts, uncles and cousins. He was preceded in death by his maternal/paternal grandparents and several aunts and uncles.
We would like to extend special thanks to Allina Health and Mayo Clinic health systems to include the Mayo Mankato Hospice team. We were grateful that Keith had such excellent medical care by a variety of professional, kind, compassionate staff over the years. Our gratitude is also extended to the wonderful care and support by many staff at local group homes, in New Ulm, and more recently Autumn Grace Vent Unit in Mankato. We thank them for their wonderful friendships, care and support over the past two decades. Our gratitude wouldn't be complete without thanking Christ the King's Pastor Tim and congregation who have been so supportive and prayed for Keith throughout the years.
Keith is the love of our life. Our hero - "the Wind Beneath our Wings." He has been an amazing son and we have been blessed to have him in our lives. We now face a terrible sense of loss and emptiness, and will miss our Vikings warrior each and every day.
In lieu of flowers please consider a donation to Minnesota Epilepsy Foundation.
MVFH.org