Keith A. Kangas -- Rochester

Published March 14, 2019 at 1:00 PM

Keith A. Kangas, 62, of Rochester, died Monday, March 11, 2019, at his residence.

Keith Allan Kangas was born June 20, 1956, to Ronald and Anne (Jamnick) Kangas in Virginia, Minn. He graduated from John Marshall High School in 1974. He attended Iowa State University, where he was a four-year letter winner in baseball from 1975 to 1978.

On Aug. 27, 1977, he married Kay Eiden at Pax Christi Catholic Church in Rochester.

He taught Physical Education at Hoover Elementary, Churchill Elementary, Mayo High School and Century High School. He was assistant baseball coach at Mayo and later became head coach at Mayo and Century. He was a baseball coach for the VFW and the Rochester American Legion Post #92. As head coach, he made it to the American Legion state tournament 20 times, including 13 consecutive seasons, along with five regional appearances. His Century High School team was state baseball champions in 2003. Later that season, the Rochester A’s went on to win the State, Regional, and National World Series for Legion baseball in Bartlesville, Okla. He was named the National High School coach of the year in 2003. He became a member of the Rochester Quarterbacks Club Hall of Fame in 2015.

Keith is survived by his wife, Kay of Rochester; his mother, Anne Kangas of Rochester; four children, Blake (Jennifer) Kangas of West Palm Beach, Fla., Alex Kangas of Rochester, Katlyn (Andrew) Weisert of Chaska, and Jordan Kangas of Minneapolis; one sister, Kathleen (John) Graupner of Wabasha; and two brothers, Cary (Marcia) Kangas of Lakeville, and Craig Kangas of Rochester. He was preceded in death by his father, Ronald.

A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, March 15, at Ranfranz and Vine Funeral Homes, with Father Will Thompson officiating. Visitation will be held from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday, March 14, at Ranfranz and Vine Funeral Homes, and one hour prior to the service Friday. Burial will take place at Oakwood Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials to Rochester Youth Baseball Association, Rochester A’s American Legion Post #92 Baseball or to the family.

To leave a special memory or condolence, please visit www.ranfranzandvinefh.com. Ranfranz and Vine Funeral Homes, 5421 Royal Place NW, Rochester, MN 55901. (507) 289-3600.