Keith Allen Bultena

Sibley, Iowa

Keith Allen Bultena, 58, died Monday, June 12, 2023, at Aspire of Lake Park Care Center in Lake Park, Iowa, following over a month’s hospitalization at Avera-McKennan Health Center in Sioux Falls. 

He was a resident of Hope Haven homes in Spirit Lake, and most recently, in Arnold’s Park, Iowa.

Funeral services will be held Wednesday, June 21 at 2:00 pm at the First Reformed Church at 1010 6th Street in Sibley, Iowa, with Rev. Brian Jack officiating.

Visitation with the family will begin at 1:00 pm at the church.

Burial will be at the Holman Township Cemetery of Sibley. 

Arrangements are being made by Jurrens Funeral Home in Sibley.

Keith Allen was born on August 3, 1964, to LuVerne and Donna Mae (Akason) Bultena in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. At age 10, Keith began life with Rev. Harvey and Angeline Calsbeek in Yankton, SD. He lived with the Calsbeeks in Yankton and Willow Lake, and in Macy, NE, and was part of the Calsbeek family for the rest of his life.

He graduated from South Sioux City High School in 1985.

During his adulthood, Keith lived in several cities in Iowa, including Sibley, Orange City, Rock Valley, Denison, Spirit Lake and Arnold’s Park. He recently worked at the Hope Haven office in Spirit Lake and at Taco House in Milford.

Keith loved people. He talked and joked with anyone and everyone. He encouraged himself and others with his oft-spoken words, “One day at a time.”

He was a fan of many sports teams, and was known to convince friends, acquaintances and even a local school superintendent to give him rides to his team’s basketball or football games. He was a loyal follower of the high school and college teams where he lived, cheered for Nebraska and Iowa teams, and loved supporting the Vikings (and sporting their colors). Rallying behind his teams was a highlight of Keith’s life.

Keith participated in Special Olympics, and excelled in running and bowling.

Keith’s family was important to him, and he cherished each family member.

Keith was a devout believer in Christ. He trusted God and God’s love, and believed that God had a plan for his life. He became a member of a church in every community where he lived. At the time of his death, he was a member of First Lutheran Church in Milford. One of his favorite sayings was, “Be well, do good work, and keep in touch with Jesus.” He read his Bible and prayed faithfully.

He was loved deeply by his family and friends.

Keith is survived by sister Glenda (Tim) Hoogland; brothers Greg (Reene) Akason and Scott (Tari) Phares; foster sister Marcia (David) Vermeer; foster brothers Doug (Janine) Calsbeek and Harold (Diane) Calsbeek; and many nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews.

Keith is preceded in death by foster parents Rev. Harvey and Angeline Calsbeek, parents LuVerne and Donna Mae Bultena, sister Cathleen, and grandparents Glenn and Agnes Akason. 

In lieu of flowers, the family requests gifts made in memory of Keith to Hope Haven at hopehaven.org/give/ or Hope Haven, PO Box 70, Rock Valley IA 51247. Cards and notes may be sent to The Family of Keith Bultena, Doug Calsbeek, 411 4th St NE, Orange City IA 51041.