Obituary: Keith Andrew Enders

As received from the Jacobson Funeral Home:

Keith Andrew Enders, age 63, passed away peacefully after battling a long illness on Saturday October 19th at Lighthouse nursing home where he has been in the care of their staff and the staff of Portage Home Health and Hospice for the last several months.

Keith was born to Robert and Joan(Fischer) Enders on November 10th 1955 in Geneva Il. and grew up in Winfield Il. in a large family that included sisters Cindy(Rentchler), Debra (Rockefellow), Connie (Risch), Denise (Harris), Catherine(Poss), Donna (Weimer), brothers Bruce, Ronald, Christopher, Gerald, Robert, and Mark. After graduating West Chicago High School in 1973, Keith worked for the village of Winfield public works department and Keith proudly served as a member of the Winfield volunteer fire department following in his grandfather Lawrence Enders footsteps.

In 1978 Keith Married his High School sweetheart Joette Bialek and began working as a Mechanic at General Rentals in Downers Grove Il. After losing Joette to a sudden illness, Keith eventually moved to Skanee where he spent much time as a teenager with his friends the Herman family also of Winfield at their camp, Julep Junction in Arvon. He partnered in his Brothers logging business where he worked alongside his brother Ron in Enders Brothers logging for several years. During this time Keith met Cathe Erickson of L’Anse MI. They were married in 1984. The next year their son John Lawrence Enders was born. Keith went to work at this time for Larry Kahkonen, as a log truck driver, diesel mechanic and carpenter until in 1991 when Keith became co-owner of the L’Anse Motel were he has resided and worked since.

Keith loved the outdoors especially, snowmobiling, deer hunting, and pontooning around Huron Bay soaking up the sun, while his son John and company swam and snorkeled the ruins of old lumbering docks or fished for Northern Pike. Keith served for many years as a board member of the Baraga County Tourist and Recreation Association and was on the snowmobile committee where he spent countless hours brushing, repairing and signing snowmobile trails and equipment.

Keith is survived by his loving son John, mother Joan, sisters Cindy, Denise, Donna brothers Bruce Ronald Christopher, Robert, Mark and many uncles aunts, nieces, nephews and cousins, friend and faithful employee Heather Kincaid and nearly life long friends Maggie & Ken Kohnke.

Keith was preceded in death by wife Joette, father Robert, sisters Debra, Connie, Catherine and brother Gerald.

There will be a visitation at the Jacobson Funeral Home in L’Anse MI. on Friday October 25th from 5 to 7 pm.

A grave side service in Winfield Il. will also be performed at a later date.

Condolences may also be sent to his son John Enders at 960 US Hwy 41 L’Anse MI. 49946.