Keizers Honored for Volunteerism in Sterling

John and Judy Keizer moved to Sterling in 2016 expecting to retire in the community. However, the plan has changed as they will soon move to Sun City, Arizona, to be closer to their daughters, Mary and husband Chris and their family in Arizona as well as Donna and husband Eric who live in Harlington, Texas. A farewell Open House will be held for John and Judy at the in the Sterling community.
The Keizers moved to Sterling because of their daughter Mary and husband Chris Lafferty and their daughters Kaylee and Ellie had previously moved to Sterling. Chris became owner of the Hot Rod Garage car restoration business and Mary started her own marketing business.
John began serving on the Sterling Village Board and has served as chairman for the past eight years. As Chairman Keizer became instrumental in writing grants for the construction of the new Sterling Community Center, as well as updating the sewage system and bridges on Locust and Broadway Streets that were damaged due to floods in 2011.The Village of Sterling was assisted by cost-match funds through the Federal Emergency Management Agency for replacing these bridges.
Recently, the Village Board of Sterling has been making plans for the Moss housing development. “I feel good about what the Village Board of Sterling has been able to accomplish,” said Keizer. “I've enjoyed my time in working with the village board members, and city staff. Keizer said his experience in grant writing came from 30 years of working with the Department of Parks and Recreation prior to going into ministry in 1996. Keizer worked in both city and county government as well as being the director of a recreation center where he did a lot of government grant writing.
John served as treasurer of the Sterling American Legion Post #140 for the past six years. He also became Chaplain seven years ago. As Chaplain, Keizer recited the prayers at Memorial Day services, and at the flag burning ceremonies. Keizer has also volunteered to assist with pancake suppers and gun shows for the past eight years. He has also been instrumental in leading Men of Fire Bible Studies by the outdoor fire pit at St. John Lutheran Church. He has filled in as pastor at St. John Lutheran Church and the First Baptist Church in Tecumseh. Since John is an elder with the Methodist church denomination, he has filled in as pastor for the Hopewell, Adams and Tecumseh Methodist Churches as well.
John enjoyed spending time as a mentor with the Teammates program at Sterling Public Schools and keeps in contact with his mentee.
As a volunteer, John said he just wanted to stay involved and do the work that needed to be accomplished. “I wanted to use the talents that God gave me in organization and administration. I like to be a positive part of a community and use my talents to help out wherever I can,”
John’s wife, Judy, filled in as a board member for St. John Lutheran Church for the past 1 ½ years and was involved in the evaluation of the church and finding the church’s future direction.
Judy also served as chaplain for the Sterling American Legion Auxiliary and she wanted to recognize the efforts and organizational skills of Shirley Zink who served as chaplain prior to her. Judy repaired numerous American flags that were tattered and torn by Nebraska's weather conditions through the years.
“I found sewing these flags to be very rewarding,” Judy said. She has also helped quilt about 30 blankets for a women’s shelter. During the COVID 19 pandemic, Judy sewed several masks for the Syracuse Community Memorial Hospital and the employees of Tecumseh Poultry as well as for area schools. She personally sewed 150 masks.
She also helped serve at the American Legion pancake feeds and soup dinners as well as making desserts and helping with clean-up.
Judy assisted with choosing Sterling American Legion Auxiliary’s Girls State representatives as well as scholarship recipients among Sterling's graduating seniors. She considers herself to be one of those volunteers who would rather be behind the scenes.
Judy remembers how the kids who were helping with the Legion’s flag burning ceremonies thought that the American Legion didn't like the American flag and that was why they were being burned. The Legion members explained that these flags were being burned because they were tattered and torn and no longer had any life in them.
Judy said she learned how to play bridge while living in Sterling. “I'm going to miss the ones I played bridge with.”
John said he really enjoyed meeting and knowing all the residents who were committed to the Sterling community and especially the younger residents who were willing to step up and work in constructing the new Community Center. “We've all had good relationships and friendships, it’s going to be hard to leave.”