Keith Douglas Nordgaard passed away unexpectedly from complications from a blood infection on November 6th, 2021, at Monument Health in Rapid City, SD.

Keith was born on July 30, 1937, to Wallace "Wally" and Alice (née Olson) Nordgaard in Wahpeton, ND. After graduating from Wahpeton High School in 1955 Keith joined the Marines, training at Camp Pendleton in southern California. Keith completed his Marine Corp service, then returned to the Midwest and earned a Mechanical Drafting degree from NDSSS.

Upon graduation, Keith took a job working at a papermill in Beloit, WI where he started his family. After 4 years he decided to further his studies, re-enrolling and earning a bachelor's degree in Education from Moorhead State University. He then taught at Pine City Vocational Tech for 7 years where he made many of his life-long friends. In 1973 he returned to the Fargo/Moorhead area and started as a Factory Engineer at the American Crystal Sugar Company. Keith ended his 31-year career as the Maintenance Superintendent, retiring in 2004.

Keith loved motorcycles, guns, and collecting classic vehicles (always christening them with clever names). He enjoyed a good laugh, visiting his favorite watering hole, and tossing back a few silver bullets while watching his favorite team – the NDSU Bison. Keith was an avid spectator, watching his kids, grand kids, nieces, and nephews throughout their sporting careers.

He was passionate about the outdoors, planting trees (he had a green thumb) and caring for all animals who found their way to his hobby farm. Deep-down, the at-times stoic Norksie had a true soft spot for animals, people, and wanted to make the world a better place for those who walked it after him.

Keith was clever, charismatic, hard-working, stubborn, and a patriotic American. He was fascinated by history, enjoyed antiquing, and was a connoisseur of current events. As a life-long Republican, he never backed away from a friendly political discussion and always stood up for his values.

He was not an adventure seeker, but adventure seemed to find him with countless mishaps that found him faced with near death experiences. If it was falling from a roof, rolling down a hill with a chainsaw or trapped in a tree, he always prevailed with a great story and barely a mark.

Above all Keith revered his family, a bit old school but his personalized cards always conveyed how he felt. He was a great storyteller, and is a person who will be eternally missed by all he touched.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Wallace and Alice (née Olson) Nordgaard; his first wife, LeeAnn (née Broin) Nordgaard; stepdaughter, Kelly Leone; and grandchild, Kara Leone. He is survived by his wife Linda (née Hood) Nordgaard; his two brothers: John (Eleanor) and Jim (Vicki) Nordgaard; his children Jesse (Marty) Weets, Kelly (Kathy) Nordgaard, Betsy (Cory) Bauer, Jay (Deb) Nordgaard, Christy (Mike) Burke; 13 grandchildren; 1 great grandchild and his dog, Happy.

The family plans a celebration of Keith's life this Spring or Summer when most of the immediate family and friends are able to attend. Event details are forthcoming.

In lieu of flowers, please donate in Keith's name to your local Humane Society!

Semper Fi