Idaho State Journal, 04/05/05

WARDBORO - Golden Bridges Keetch, 92, passed away Saturday, April 3, 2005, in Montpelier, Idaho. He was born to Charles Pugmire Keetch and Francis Elizabeth Bridges on October 29, 1912, at Wardboro, Idaho. He married Jean Christensen in the Salt Lake City LDS Temple on August 10, 1942. Five sons and two daughters were born to this union.

He lived his entire life in Bear Lake County, Idaho, and was proud to be known as a true Bear Laker. He attended Wardboro Grade School and graduated from Montpelier High School in 1930. He farmed and ranched the land settled or purchased by his family, and had experienced the technology progress in agriculture. 

Golden was active in the community and served many years on the following boards: Caribou Cattleman Association (1977 - present), Preston-Montpelier Irrigation Company (1966 - present), Montpelier Irrigation Company, West Fork Irrigation Company, Wardboro Cemetery District (1956 - present), Bear Lake Grazing Company (1960 - present), Dingle Dipping Company, Bear Lake Stockyard Association, Bear Lake Soil and Water Conservation District (1979-2000), Resource Conservation and Development Board, and Idaho Water Users Board of Directors (1977-1993).

In recognition for his years of service, Golden was awarded the Honorary Chapter Farmer Degree from the Montpelier and Bear Lake FFA chapters. He was a Century Member of the Boy Scouts of America, Cache Valley Council, Outstanding Conservation Practices Award, and the Idaho Water Users Association's 1989 Hall of Fame Award, and 2005 Meritorious Service Award. A highlight of his later years was riding shotgun on the Bear Lake Stagecoach in the Bear Lake Rendezvous Pageant.

Golden was an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He had held many positions, including bishop of the Dingle Ward for nine years and Logan temple officiator for 10 years. 

Golden is survived by Jean, his wife of 62 years; and six children, five sons, Gordon (Bettie) of Council, Idaho, Lynn (Rowleen) of Wardboro, Idaho, Blair (Teresa) of Malta, Idaho, Dan (Debbie) and Val (Laurie) both of Wardboro, Idaho, a daughter, Janet Skinner of Dingle, Idaho; 30 grandchildren and 34 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by one daughter, Sondra Kaye, and a son-in-law, Kirk Eborn Skinner.

Funeral services will be held Friday, April 8 at 1 p.m. in the Dingle LDS Ward Chapel. Burial will be in the Wardboro Cemetery.