Keith Gerard Zerr, 63, of Gove, KS, died Friday, July 9th, 2021, at Gove
County Medical Center, after a difficult and well-fought battle with
colorectal cancer. He was born in Oakley, KS; the fourth child to Peter
C. and Blanche Zerr.
Forever in a hurry to get where he was going, he was nearly born in the
car on the way to the hospital. As a child, he enjoyed playing games
with his siblings and cousins. Keith remembered having very few toys in
those days, so they played many of the “classic” games—baseball,
football, Red Rover, kick-the-can, tag, and hide-and-seek, just to name a
few. Keith’s favorite games were the ones his sister, Lynette, just
made up, and of course, the miniature farm that he and his brother,
Darren, created under the backyard trees. Some of Keith’s favorite
memories were the family vacations with the Joneses that covered almost
every inch of the state of Colorado. Until his last breath, Keith and
his family were very close. In addition to his three brothers and one
sister, Keith had more than 70 cousins, and each and every one of them
held a special place in his heart.
Keith graduated from Wheatland High School in May of 1976. From there he
attended Fort Hays State University to pursue a degree in agribusiness,
which he earned in 1980. Keith returned home to continue working with
his father on the family farm near Gove, where he went on to meet the
love of his life, Jacky Heier. They were later married in May of 1986
and went on to have five children.
Growing up, Keith remembered his family enjoying music—and soon, music
became a large part of his life too. He first enjoyed the piano and then
the saxophone. At Fort Hays State, he was introduced to his favorite
instrument: the guitar. Not counting family and the Lord, this hobby was
the love of his life. Through the years, he played in several bands,
singing, and playing guitar, and was lucky enough to form lifelong
friendships along the way. Ultimately, his passion and talent earned him
his nickname “Keith Guitar Zerr”—which stuck with him ever since. His
favorite guitar experience was playing for Mass at St. Agnes, and his
biggest regret was having that cut short just as he was getting the hang
of it.
Keith felt very fortunate to have had a successful career in
agriculture. This labor of love was largely successful because of his
loving and understanding wife, Jacky; a wonderful partner in his older
brother, Kevin; a solid foundation laid by his parents and grandparents;
and finally, the dedicated efforts of his children.
Keith is survived by his wife, Jacky Zerr, of Gove, KS; his five
children, Jordan Zerr, of Cedar Falls, Iowa, Jason (Whitney) Zerr, of
Grainfield, KS, Kenton (Jennifer) Zerr, of Overland Park, KS, Kaitlyn
(Keaton) Knott of Leawood, KS, and Kirsten Zerr (fiancé Collin Schmidt)
of Overland Park, KS; his grandchildren, Liam, Eli, and Natalie Zerr
(Jason and Whitney’s), Luca and Noah Zerr (Kenton and Jennifer’s); his
mother, Blanche Zerr, of Quinter, KS; and his four siblings, Dennis
Zerr, of Garden City, KS, Kevin Zerr (Peggy Huelsman) of Nemaha, KS,
Lynette (Terry) Steinbrecher, of Denver, CO, and Darren (Sherri) Zerr,
of Baldwin City, KS. Keith was preceded in death by his father, Peter C.
Zerr and sister-in-law, Karen Zerr.
Visitation is 5-7:00 p.m. Monday, July 12, 2021, at the St. Agnes
Education Center, Grainfield, with a vigil at 7:00 p.m. Funeral Mass is
10:00 a.m. Tuesday, July 13, 2021, at St. Agnes Church Grainfield, with
Burial in the Grainfield Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the
Grainfield Knights of Columbus and sent in care of Baalmann Mortuary, PO
Box 204, Oakley, KS 67748. For information or condolences visit
www.baalmannmortuary.com