Dennis Keas

Dennis Galen Keas, 70, of Alda Nebraska, passed away unexpectedly Saturday, November 28, 2020 at CHI St. Francis Medical Center. Galen, aka Keazo, was born May 12, 1950 in Twin Falls, Idaho. He was educated in a one room schoolhouse at District 8 South Rural School. He graduated from Garden County High School in Oshkosh, Nebraska. Galen was a true patriot and served in the United States Marine Corps during the Vietnam conflict. Galen married his high school sweetheart Lois J. Merlo on September 23, 1972 at St. Mark’s Lutheran Church in Oshkosh. To their union, four daughters were born. Galen loved and was very proud of his 11 grandchildren.



Galen always gave 110% to everything he set his mind to. He successfully raced cars for 12 years. Galen later changed his focus to becoming an avid bowler. He was inducted into the Nebraska Bowler Hall of Fame as well as the Grand Island and Youth Bowler Hall of Fame. He founded the Grand Island youth Bowler of the Year Tournament, now in its 32nd year. Three of Galen’s daughters attended college with Bowling scholarships.



Galen retired from New Holland after 33 years. He then started Galen’s Pro Shop and Internet Sales while working at Hornady Manufacturing. In April 2018, he and business partner, Jerry Pomplun, purchased Westside Lanes Bowling Center in Grand Island. Galen tackled his new business with years of knowledge, a new sense of purpose and relentless energy! Galen and Jerry spent the last 2 years making monumental upgrades to the business.



Galen’s dream was to always become a professional bowler. He achieved this by bowling on the Senior Professional Bowling Tour and making friendships across the nation. He enjoyed bowling in the National Bowling Tournament with his daughters and their spouses. After purchasing their motor home, Lois also enjoyed traveling to these tournaments with him. Galen enjoyed having his family together at their lake house at Lake McConaughy. He was a good sport about participating in the Keas family Olympics, sitting around the fire pit, jet skiing, and telling stories. He also was quite a passionate spectator of the Huskers. Galen was a strong brother in Christ. He traveled to Louisiana to minister on the streets of Mardi Gras with No Greater Love Ministries and helped carry the cross across Grand Island on Good Friday. He served at the Christmas community dinner at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church for many years. He took pride in coaching his girls in softball and then later umpiring high school softball. Galen volunteered in the Big Brother program and was a proud member of the NRA.



Galen is survived by his wife Lois Merlo; daughters Laura (Jared) Kerkman, Kelly (Mitch) Lahm, Crystal (Nate) Johnson, Sarah (Ben) Halkyard; sisters Gwen Jessen, Susan (Kent) Elmshaeuser; brother Byron (Betty) McCormick, 11 grandchildren: Elle, Trevor, Justice, Faith, Xander, Natalie, Preston, Izaiah, Alex, Brooks, and Graycie, and a host of nieces and nephews.



Galen was preceded in death by his parents, Roy Keas, Donald and Geraldine McCormick; brother in law’s Jim Jessen and Greg Rehm; son in law Tony Shield; niece Anna Rehm; and nephew Stormy Jessen.



Memorials to be decided upon at a later date.