Keith D. Graves

Keith Douglas Graves, age 68, of Preston, Iowa, passed away peacefully at home on Sunday, July 19, 2026.

Born on April 5, 1958, in Maquoketa, Iowa, Keith was a man who truly lived life on his own terms. For many years, he worked as a dedicated bartender and manager, helping to run the family business across two bars in Goose Lake and Preston, where his outgoing personality truly shined. To know Keith was to know a man who simply could not go anywhere without making a friend. Whether he was in Missouri, California, or just walking through an airport, he would inevitably run into someone he knew.

Keith’s greatest love story began when he was just 13 years old, when he met Elise Tietjens. Young and determined, Keith used to drive a go cart, and later a notoriously loud car that would set off the local bank alarm, all the way to Teeds Grove just to see her. After a six-year engagement, they were married and shared 42 wonderful years of marriage.

A legendary jokester, Keith always had a quick comeback and loved to mess with people. He had a charming, funny habit of mixing up his words and pronunciations, which never failed to make his family laugh. His personal motto might as well have been, "Keith Dogs the best, forget the rest!" Above all, he was the best Dad, and he always made sure his kids knew they were “Simply the Best!”. He was a fixture at every one of his sons' games, always standing up for them and supporting them unconditionally. He amazed his boys by teaching them countless life lessons. He also loved taking his kids boating, a joy Elise helped facilitate.

Keith was an avid motorcycle enthusiast. He loved the freedom of the open road on his ’87 Low Rider Custom Harley, taking an unforgettable, awesome trip to Colorado. In his downtime, he was a die-hard Iowa Hawkeyes and Caitlin Clark fan. He loved hunting for morel mushrooms, constantly listening to KMAQ and his police scanner, and insisting on cutting down a real Christmas tree every year. He also had a passion for taking the family cherry-picking, much to their playful dismay.

Keith will be deeply missed by his beloved wife, Elise Graves of Preston; his sons, Nate Graves of Clinton, and Nick Graves of Charlotte; his treasured grandchildren, Koltyn, Kyler, and Brextyn; and many loving brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nieces, and nephews.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Wayne and Vera; his sister, Diane Clark; his brothers Alvin Graves and Dwayne Graves; his infant brother, Calvin; and his birth father, Harry Thomas.

A visitation will be held on Saturday, July 25, from 12:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., followed immediately by a funeral service at 3:00 p.m. at Law Jones Funeral Home in Preston, Iowa. Following the service there will be a motorcycle procession to Savanna, IL.