Keith "Melvin" J. Hvezda

Keith “Melvin” Hvezda, age 62, of rural Lowry, died Friday, December 10, 2021 at Sanford Hospital in Fargo, ND, following a brief illness. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, December 15th at St. John Nepomuk Catholic Church in rural Lowry, with Fr. Joe Vandeberg officiating. Visitation will be Tuesday from 5:00 - 7:00 p.m. at the funeral home in Glenwood and will continue one hour prior to the service at the church. Interment will be in St. John Nepomuk Catholic Cemetery. Arrangements are with the Hoplin-Hitchcock Funeral Home in Glenwood.

Keith John Hvezda was born on August 2, 1959, in Alexandria, MN. He was the fourth of six children born to Joseph Phillip and Mary (Pospisil) Hvezda. He was raised on the family farm located on the west side of Lake Reno, and just across the road from St. John Nepomuk Church, where he was baptized and confirmed. At some point in his childhood, Keith was given the nickname “Melvin” which was sometimes shortened to “Mel”. Many of his friends from childhood through adulthood had no idea that Keith was in fact his actual name. Keith attended school in Glenwood and graduated with the Class of 1977. After high school, he earned a degree in auto body repair from Detroit Lakes Technical College.

On December 6, 1980, Keith was united in marriage to Brenda Jean Vickerman of Alexandria. The two made their home in Alexandria, where Keith worked at Clark’s Auto Body and helped his dad on the farm. Not long after their marriage, Keith took advantage of an opportunity to go to work for WASP (now FAST Global Solutions) in Glenwood. He enjoyed his work there and remained with the company until his retirement at the age of 50.

When Keith’s parents were ready to retire and move off the family farm, Keith, Brenda, and their two children, Amber and Darren, moved out to the farm and made it their home. Keith continued to operate the farm until the time of his death, growing crops and raising cattle.

Like his father before him, Keith was a member of the Reno Township Board and a very active member of St. John Nepomuk Church. He served on the church council and was very involved in various projects at the church. He also served on the cemetery board and was the sexton for the past several years.

Farming, hunting, fishing with family and friends (he was still the state record holder for the ugly bullhead that he caught one summer with family and friends), and having Monday morning coffee with his buddies were among his favorite pastimes.  He loved Brenda, Amber and Darren, and once he became a grandfather, nothing brought him more joy than spending time with his four grandsons.

Keith is survived by his wife of 41 years, Brenda; their two children, Amber (Keith) Kirkwold and Darren Hvezda, all of Lowry; four grandsons, Brady, Peyton and Odin Kirkwold and Brantley Hvezda; a sister, Jolene (Shawn) Doherty of Brandon; four brothers, Steven (Kathy Duvall) of Lowry, Lawrence (Jeanne) of Lowry, Roger (Debbie) of Alexandria, and Dale (Cheryl) of Alexandria; his wife’s mother, Marion Vickerman of Alexandria; and his wife’s two brothers, Randy (Jean) Vickerman of Forada and Rodney (Sandy) Vickerman of West Union; along with nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Joseph Phillip and Mary (Pospisil) Hvezda, and his wife’s father, Donald Vickerman.

To send flowers to the family, please visit our floral store.