Keefe Lorn Lodwig

Keefe Lorn Lodwig was born in Omaha Aug. 3, 1943. Parents were Opal and Keefe Lodwig Sr and he had two older sisters Loretta and Sue. Keefe’s father passed away when he was 4 years old and his mother and sisters raised him. They lived in South Omaha and the children went to St. Anthony’s elementary. Keefe’s mother wanted to keep him out of trouble and since he did not have a male role model, she decided to have Keefe join the swimming team at the downtown YMCA. After 6 months of learning how to swim, Keefe won the Omaha City championships for the 10yrs and under in freestyle. And that is when his true love for swimming began. Keefe graduated from Benson H.S in 1962 and proceeded to get a scholarship for swimming at the University of Nebraska Lincoln. At the University he became an All American and made a name for himself as a respectable competitor. In his senior year at UNL he was invited to the White House as a nationally ranked swimmer and part of the Olympic training team. After graduating from UNL, in 1966, Keefe married Bonnie Wells. Keefe was active member of his community. Keefe and Bonnie started selling items to schools such as combs, calendars, candy bars etc and that is how All American Fund Raising began, in 1969. As the business grew more lucrative, they built a warehouse in Waterloo, which Keefe had a basketball court and weight room added on to it to help encourage community fitness and youth sports. Keefe, being heavily involved, created All American teams in the community for kids, coaching and supporting every child that he came into contact with. He sponsored all kinds of sports and welcomed them at the gym such as basketball, dance, gymnastics, karate. Throughout his life he had over 50 individual world records, 60 world relay records and approximately 150 national records. Keefe was an All-American/Masters swimmer, but despite that, he always stayed true to his home…Nebraska. He continued to donate to UNL and participate in the Cornhusker Games throughout his years. He did not go a day without working out or swimming. It was his lively hood, his passion. He always went 110% and was always positive, even when faced with this deteriorating disease. Most would give up, but Keefe stayed true to who he was and continued to make his sassy remarks, jokes and living the best he could, given the circumstances. He was a true inspiration for many people. He left a huge mark on this world and will be greatly missed. Keefe is survived by wife; Bonita (Wells) Lodwig, Children; Tanya Lodwig Memoli, Keefe Derek Lodwig, Tasha (Michael) Urban, Shea Lodwig, Grandchildren; Tavia Memoli, Hunter Urban, Parker Keefe Urban, Sisters; Loretta Gibbons and Suzanne Lodwig-Moore, Nieces; Terre Jacobs, Tracy Moore, and Andrea Gibbons; Nephews; Elliott Moore and Jay Moore. Funeral Services will be held Tuesday 01/31/2023 at 1:00pm at Reichmuth Funeral Home, Elkhorn, NE. Visitation with family will be from 11:00 - 1:00pm prior to the service. Interment will follow at Prospect Hill Cemetery. Memorials are suggested to the family for later designation. Family and friends are invited to Tasha & Michael Urban's home (16905 Sarah Street, Bennington, NE 68007) following the graveside service for continued stories and fellowship.

Keefe Lorn Lodwig

August 3, 1943 - January 27, 2023