Keith Wilkinson

Keith Sheldon Frank Wilkinson, age 50, of Ste. Rose du Lac, died peacefully in his home on Saturday February 22, 2025.

Keith was born in Arborg, MB on April 30, 1974 to his biological mother.

On May 13, 1975 Keith was brought to his forever home, by his parents, Kenneth Mark and Heather Joy (Napper) Wilkinson. His sisters Amanda and Natalie were ecstatic to welcome their new brother home.

Keith’s childhood was one of fond memories, with family and friends. He often spoke of helping his parents at the store in Ebb and Flow when he was very young.

Keith attended Ste. Rose school from kindergarten through to his graduation in June 1992. In his youth he was involved in the Eddystone 4H club for many years. Here he enjoyed curling, ceramics and travel.

He talked of the memories he had of driving across Canada and the US with his parents and sisters. This sparked a love of travel for Keith….but no planes…as he always said…”if I can’t drive there I don’t need to see it”.

As a family, we also enjoyed many road trips both in Canada and the US.

Keith has always had a love of singing. He enjoyed singing in the choir in high school. His voice would be heard later in life from the floor of Hoof n Holler with Chris Bigford on his shoulders, belting out Garth Brooks’ Friends in Low places. Other times, his voice was heard singing Grease Lightning along with Danny at the Community Inn……and they would not only sing, but performed all the dance moves too. Keith sang nearly everyday. To Karey, to himself, to his children and to his grandson. Keith also let his voice be heard thru various social media channels.

Keith worked for his dad doing income tax preparation starting in 1995. He would eventually take over this business in 2007. The “tax man”loved working with people. He enjoyed the interactions with people from all walks of life.

Keith also spent 25 seasons meeting people and making friends at Southgate. I am certain there are people from coast to coast that have a memory of Keith from this chapter in his life. No matter where we travelled across Canada, it seemed that there was always someone that knew Keith at any one of our stops along the way.

Keith met Karey Luke in high school in 1990. They had been cast as husband and wife in that years spring school drama production. They soon became inseparable and were married on May 10, 1997 in Ste. Rose du Lac.

Keith was an amazing father to Ethan and Dalton.

He was always proud to watch Ethan and Dalton in any sport they played cheering loudly from the stands for them always.

Although he joked about being a taxi service, he absolutely loved to chauffeur his boys and their friends any chance he got. Many miles were put on driving them, be it for 4H, various sports, swimming lessons, snowboarding or taking them trick or treating.

Keith spent much of his youth at Margaret Bruce Beach camping with his family. He made many friends here as he had been told by his parents that it was not safe to talk to strangers. So, friendly Keith would introduce himself to someone new and say, “now we are not strangers”.

With his own children, camping at the same beach, Keith would spend countless hours swimming with them, going for boat rides, tubing and fishing.

Keith loved to fish and hunt and he took great pride in passing this onto his sons. Keith was a social person, and he enjoyed the times when friends and family were all able to get together at our home for Christmas, birthdays, and summertime quadding.

Keith enjoyed spending time with his best friend, JT, his brother from another mother. They spent time watching movies and wrestling, driving around having coffee, going to snow drag races, and talking about virtually everything under the sun. They had the opportunity to take many road trips together over the years across Canada and the US. One of the most memorable was a time they went to Sturgis, they stopped in at the Crazy Horse Saloon. JT told the story best…”Keith was in such shock! He just stood there shaking like a kid in a candy store”.

Keith was pre deceased by his mother Heather Wilkinson (2022) his sister Natalie Pinette (2009) his best friend/brother from another mother Jason Thorkelson (2022) his biological brother Murray Olsen, his Grandpa and Grandma Wilkinson, Uncle Larry Wilkinson, Grandy and Gramps Napper, Aunty Valerie Jarvis, Aunty Lynne Asham, Aunty Marge Napper, Aunty Joan Napper.

Keith leaves to cherish many fond memories his wife Karey, son Ethan, his girlfriend Chloey and grandson Emmett, son Dalton, his girlfriend Kai. His dad Mark, sister Amanda, nieces Samantha and Courtney, nephews Christian and Austin and their families, mother in-law Adrienne, father in law Bernie and wife Debbie, sister in law Nicole, husband Cory, nephews Aidan, Oliver and Wyatt, his biological mother, biological sisters, brothers, nieces and nephews, extended family and many friends.

Countless family and friends near and far, will retell stories of their memories of Keith and his spirit will live on.

A celebration of Keith's life was held on Saturday, March 29, 2025 at 1:00 pm in the Westlake Community Centre, Eddystone, MB