[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 87 (Friday, June 18, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1342]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   A TRIBUTE TO PASTOR WALTER J. KEISKER, OF CAPE GIRARDEAU COUNTY, 
           MISSOURI, IN CELEBRATION OF A CENTURY OF BLESSINGS

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JO ANN EMERSON

                              of missouri

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, June 18, 1999

  Mrs. EMERSON. Mr. Speaker, on July 9, 1999, Reverend Walter J. 
Keisker will celebrate his 100th birthday. As an active member of his 
community, Reverend Keisker is as well known in Cape Girardeau County, 
Missouri as many of the founding fathers of the towns of Jackson and 
Cape Girardeau.
  Pastor Keisker started his life in 1899 on a farm four miles outside 
of Hillsboro, Missouri where his father ran a small creamery and, 
later, raised dairy herd and hogs. To this day, the Reverend remembers 
the words to ``A Surrey With the Fringe on Top'' because his family 
actually traveled in one.
  The Reverend attended high school and junior college at St. Paul 
College in St. Louis, graduating in 1919. He then continued his 
education at Concordia Lutheran Seminary from which he graduated in 
1923. He lead his first parish at Trinity Church in Flat River, now 
Park Hills, Missouri where he devoted 15 years of service. In the fall 
of 1938 Pastor Keisker took on a new parish at the St. Paul Lutheran 
Church in Jackson, Missouri. He gave his parish his full attention for 
the next 30 years. As Pastor Keisker eased into retirement, he 
continued serving St. Paul Lutheran Church as a pastoral assistant from 
1968 until 1984. The Reverend continued to be actively involved in the 
church until 1993 when he moved to the Lutheran Home in Cape Girardeau.
  Reverend Keisker and the former Mae Fikuart of Farmington, Missouri, 
married and had two daughters, Ruth Illers of Jackson, Missouri, and 
Virginia Goodwin of Cape Girardeau, Missouri. The Reverend and Mrs. 
Keisker had seven grandchildren and as of this spring, Pastor Keisker 
has ten great grandchildren. Mrs. Keisker passed away in 1992.
  Because he believes that a pastor should be active in their 
communities as well as over his congregation, Pastor Keisker remains 
active today. He continues to be a member of the Cape Girardeau 
Historical Society and the Jackson Chamber of Commerce, and he attends 
Circuit meetings and other events in his community.
  When asked about his secret for longevity, Pastor Keisker gives the 
following pieces of advice: ``I think the Lord intended for us to enjoy 
life, so keep yourself occupied; Don't go out with the owls at night. 
They don't keep the right kind of company anyway; always be grateful 
for what you have; Be yourself and don't try to imitate someone you 
think is doing a good job. Try to do the job yourself, but please don't 
mimic.
  These are sage words of advice from a centenarian who has lived a 
life devoted to God, family, and community, who has seen and reflected 
on a century of change in our nation and the world, and who has 
selflessly given of himself to all he has known. I would like to extend 
a heart-felt thank you to Pastor Keisker for all that he has done and 
continues to do for our communities. He is truly an inspiration to us 
all.

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