Keith Alan Sexter, 67, of Owatonna, died on Friday, February 27, 2026, at Methodist Hospital in Rochester. He was born January 11, 1959, in Owatonna, the son of Robert and Evangeline (Nix) Sexter. Growing up, Keith lived on the generational family farm in Somerset Township where he started his work ethic early as he helped with daily dairy duties and making any mechanical fixes. Keith attended country school for six years until attending Owatonna Jr./Sr. High School.

Keith was united in marriage to the love of his life, Diane Schweisthal, on April 11, 1978, in Sioux Falls, SD and the couple started their family in Owatonna, making sure to teach their children the value of strong work ethic. As Keith was always working, he had developed mechanical skills that started as working on cars during "date night", evolving to farm machinery. Early on, Keith worked for Owatonna Manufacturing Co as a work study student and moved on to hauling milk after high school. Keith also worked for Viracon, Gandys in manufacturing, and as maintenance for Owatonna Public School District until he found his niche in Excavating. When he started working for Don Loken Excavating & Drainage, it inspired him to eventually branch off and become owner and operator of Sexter's Excavating and Trucking, where he had his three boys and friend, Roger Olinger, help him with jobs.

When Keith wasn't miraculously working, he enjoyed fishing in northern Minnesota with his sons and brother Tom, hunting locally for deer and turkey, traveling to Montana and Wyoming to hunt Elk with Tom, and attending any and every auction he possibly could. There were several times that "nothing got done between lunch and dinner" as Keith could be found sitting on the porch with his brother, Tom, talking about anything and not getting any work done. He was also caught on several occasions solving all the world's problems with his brother, Mark, in his garage.

Keith was a loving, devoted husband and family man, spoiling his grandchildren more than his own kids. He cherished family time and parties (if not at the same time as auctions) and would be upset if you missed out. Keith had trust in people, taking them for their word as he always found the good in everyone.

He is survived by his wife of 47 years, Diane; children: Jesse (Lisa), Jason (Tina Garza), Jody Sexter (Calvin Barksdale), and Justin (Holly); grandchildren: Christopher, Diamond, Joshua (Kacey Anderson), Makayla, Michael, Madison, Connor, Caden, Julia, Tucker, and Kymber; bonus granddaughter, CaiaJo Fitzgerald; great-granddaughters, Kora and Kenly; siblings: Mark Sexter, Tom (Janelle) Sexter, and Sharon (Terry) Farrier; nieces and nephews: Audrey (Scott) Stone, Anne and David Sexter, Rebecca (Scott) Cheek, and Angela (Brian) Stephens; and his devoted dog, Charlie Rose.

He was preceded in death by his parents, infant sister, and sisters-in-law, Dawn Sexter and Rita Ferrington.

Visitation will be at Michaelson Funeral Home, Owatonna on Tuesday, March 3, 2026, from 5 to 7pm and at St. John Lutheran Church, Owatonna on Wednesday from 10 to 11am. Funeral services will be held Wednesday, March 4, 2026, at 11am at St. John Lutheran Church. Interment will be in the St. John Cemetery in Owatonna.

Memorials are preferred to St. John Cemetery in Owatonna.