Keith Hart

Keith Bernard Hart, 91, of Fridley Minnesota passed away on December 20, 2014 of brain cancer.
Keith was born on August 17th, 1923 and spent his childhood in Turtle Lake Wisconsin. He was known as P.C. back then. He was self made with his work ethic developing early. He often said "The harder you work the luckier you get". During the depression he took on odd jobs in town, tarring roofs, digging holes for sewers, working at the pea factory and he and his friend rented a piece of land and grew cucumbers one summer. He had a paper route for the St. Paul Pioneer Press before school from the age of 12. He excelled in school, graduating at the top of his class. He worked on the school newspaper, delivering it on his paper route, and played on all the sports teams. He was very confident and the best dressed boy with his clothes being purchased from Minneapolis where his grandmother lived.
Keith was married to the love of his life, Signe Nykanen on August 23rd, 1946; they were married for 68 years and raised 3 children in the home they lived in for 57 years. He was so proud of his children and was well known for his funny Christmas cards with the kids pointing at Christmas cookies or the pets posed. Keith was very active in his community. He made sure the park across the street from his home was always in great condition, calling the City of Fridley whenever he noticed a torn basketball net, peeling paint, etc. He won the Fridley 49er Days button contests several times. He enjoyed cartooning, drawing , sending jokes to different radio personalities, sports of any kind and entering contests. He'd jazz up his contest entries by drawing on the envelopes! He won so many prizes and cash for himself and the rest of the family. It was fun to get surprised in the mail with a prize.
Keith had a long career in the photo finishing business, working at Welch Photo and eventually retiring from Brown Photo after many decades as their Plant Manager Senior Vice President. He had a military career he was proud of. He served in the Army during World War II and fought hand to hand in many famous battles such as The Battle of the Bulge. He was awarded a Combat Infantry Badge Battle Citation. He suffered severe appendicitis while in a foxhole, but made it out alive. Although he could no longer serve on the frontline, he finished his career serving in hospitals doing whatever was needed.
Keith is survived by wife Signe. Children Holly (Zuheir), Spring and Perry (Carmell). Grandchildren Kyse, Zack (Pam), Noelle (Damion), Brock (Michelle), Judd (Jessica), Adam, Robin and Libby. Great grandchildren Isabelle, Roger, Giselle, Wyatt, Estella, Astoria, Chloe, Quinn, and 2 more on the way.
He is preceded in death by his mother and father Elsie and Percy Hart and his brother and sister Jack and Faye.