Keith Allan Paswaters
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Keith's obituary
The world lost a bright spirit and lifelong adventurer when Keith Allan Paswaters, born December 22, 1979, of Campbellsport, Wisconsin, passed away on September 6, 2025, at the age of 45 after suffering a sudden and massive brain hemorrhage caused by an undiagnosed arteriovenous malformation (AVM) near his brainstem.
In the early morning hours of Labor Day, September 1, Keith’s AVM burst without warning. He was flown by Flight for Life from Fond du Lac, WI to St. Mary’s Hospital in Madison, WI for emergency brain surgery. The several-hour-long procedure to stop the bleeding and repair the malformed veins was only partially successful, and shortly afterward Keith suffered a second bleed. He was placed on life support, giving his family time to hope for improvement. Sadly, his condition worsened—his brain function, already severely diminished, declined further, and the surgeon confirmed that the damage was instantaneous, massive, and utterly unsurvivable.
True to his giving nature, Keith’s final act of generosity was the gift of life through organ donation, blessing several families with renewed hope and healing.
Raised in both Campbellsport, Wisconsin, and Summerville, South Carolina, Keith attended Covenant Life Church in his youth, where his faith and sense of community were shaped. Keith was the definition of a big kid at heart—playful, silly, and quick with a joke. He found joy in the outdoors and a sense of purpose in building things with his own two hands. A certified flooring installer and skilled in many aspects of construction, Keith took pride in his craftsmanship and was in the middle of building a dream home with his girlfriend, Aimee, when he suddenly passed away.
Above all, Keith’s greatest pride and happiness came from being a compassionate, fun-loving dad, always ready with a silly face, a bear hug, or a spontaneous family wrestling match. He was deeply principled and guided by his own strong moral compass, living with authenticity, generosity, and love.
Keith’s love for others shone brightly throughout his life. He never hesitated to jump in and help, whether it was a friend, a stranger, or a damsel in distress. When his sister was just four years old and fell through the ice, Keith didn’t hesitate—he jumped in after her, saving her life. Years later, he leapt from a bridge into a river of alligators in South Carolina to pull a friend to safety. Keith would have given you the shirt off his back without hesitation. His heart was generous, his humor was quick and spot-on, and his smile could light up a room. Keith lived with a forgiving spirit and an infectious energy that made him the life of the party and a joy to all who knew him. Mischievous as a child, magnetic as an adult, his grin and laughter were music to the souls of those around him.
He is survived by his mother, Diana Dawn Paswaters, and his grandmother, Karen A. (Haydin) Paswaters, who lovingly helped raise him; his four children, Augustus Rose, Seth James, Adaline Marie, and Koleton Alexander Paswaters; his sister, Danielle Lynne Paswaters; and his loving girlfriend, Aimee Carolyn Baker. He is also survived by his uncle, Douglas Duane Paswaters; his nephew, Manual Curtis Jones; his cousins, Cristalynn, Mistie, Noel, and Heather Paswaters; and his half-brother, Chad Gregory Grissman. He will also be deeply missed by many extended relatives and dear friends.
Keith was preceded in death by his father, Gregory Arthur Grissman; his grandfather, Duane Glenn Paswaters; his step-grandfather, Richard A. Barnekow; his beloved aunt, Kimberly Paswaters; and his faithful dog, Onyx.
Keith will be remembered for his humor, his boundless energy, and the way he made life feel like an adventure. His legacy of love and laughter will live on in all who knew him. Though his passing has left a void that can never be filled, his generosity, courage, and love will continue to ripple outward through his children, his family, his friends, and the lives touched by his final gift of organ donation.
A celebration of Keith’s life will be held on September 28 at 1:00pm at The Roadhouse in Dundee, WI. All who loved him are welcome to join in honoring his memory.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to support funeral costs, with any remaining funds being distributed to his children, through the family’s GoFundMe page: https://gofund.me/87fcc9e86
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