Douglas Keil

Doug Keil, 69 of Thompson, Iowa, died on Valentine’s Day, Tuesday, February 14, 2023.  

Doug was born on October 5, 1953, to Palmer and Margaret (Lenning), Keil in Thompson, Iowa.  He was baptized and confirmed at the Bethany Lutheran Church, in Thompson.  He graduated from Thompson High School in 1972, and went on to graduate from NIAC, and then attended UNI.  He later took writing classes at both Iowa State and Waldorf College and enjoyed writing in his many journals.

He was known for having chosen to live in his car for the last 30 years, and for having ridden his bicycle from coast to coast and back, and from North to South and back as well.  He was a gifted artisan, carving Scandinavian style spoons and doing Native American-style bead work.  The back seat of his car contained an orderly library, and he would often visit monasteries in various locations across the U.S.  He was a member of Holy Transfiguration Greek Orthodox Church in Mason City since 2012.

Memorials may be designated to Doug Keil Documentary Project at Waldorf University; Holy Transfiguration Greek Orthodox Church, Mason City; Bethany Lutheran Church, Thompson; Immanuel Lutheran Church, Forest City; First Baptist Church, Forest City; Salem Lutheran Church, Radcliffe.

Doug’s family includes his brother Robert (Susan) Keil, nephew, niece, cousins, and friends.  He was preceded in death by his parents.