Keith Edward Novotny was born on May 9th, 1955 in Willmar, MN to parents Kenton and Marjorie (Olson) Novotny. He was baptized into the Catholic faith in Willmar and confirmed at St. Aloysius in Olivia, MN. Keith attended school in Willmar until his family moved to Olivia in 1967, where he graduated from Olivia High School in 1973. After high school he attended Canby Vo-Tech College and graduated with a degree in Construction Electrician. On January 9, 1986 he was blessed with a son, Christopher. On October 1, 1994 he was united in marriage to Peggy (Sachs). Keith started his career in Olivia with the city department working as a line man, and joined the Olivia Fire Department. In 1988 he moved to Appleton where he worked as the city supervisor until the time of his death. Keith and Peggy revived the main street of Appleton in 2009 by opening their restaurant, "Peg's Place" which was the home to "Keith's Kitchen." Keith joined the Appleton Fire Department as an auxiliary member in 1988 and became full member in 1991. He served as an active member of the department until his retirement in 2011. He could always be seen in proudly wearing his Appleton Fire Department "red jacket". There were many things in life that Keith enjoyed but none as great as spending time with his family and granddaughter, Brynna. When Keith had the chance he enjoyed hunting, fishing, going to the lake and cheering for the Minnesota Vikings and making amazing memories with his family and friends. Keith was never seen without a smile on his face and when he left the room you had a smile on yours! Keith battled kidney disease and received a transplant in April of 2011; he died an unexpected death on September 21, 2014 at Appleton Area Health Services. He had reached the age 59 years, 4 months and 12 days. Keith was welcomed into heaven by his father, Kenton Novotny; brother, Kenton Novotny II, father-in-law Virgil Sachs; brother-in-law Craig Sachs; and nephew Ryan Holzheimer. Ketih's memory will be kept alive by his wife, Peggy, of Appleton; son, Christopher Novotny, and his fiancé Heather Hinz, of Renville; grand-daughter Brynna Novotny; mother, Marjorie Novotny of Olivia; two brothers: Kurt (Teren) Novotny of Willmar and Kelly (Cathy) Novotny of Marshall; sister-in-law, Brenda Novotny, of Germantown, TN; mother-in-law, Jeanette Sachs, of Appleton; brothers and sisters-in-law: Carol Sachs of Montevideo, Linda Holzheimer (Allen Sadergaski) of Appleton, Kathy (Bill) Clemen of Appleton and Mark Sachs (Jen Berven) of Appleton, and Kevin (Tiffany) Sachs of Appleton; several nieces, nephews, and other relatives.
