Keith Crew Obituary

Keith L. Crew died on December 26, 2019 in Yankton, South Dakota due to a battle with prostate cancer at the age of 91.

Keith was born on August 29, 1928 to Leslie and Jessie (Buerck) Crew in their home that was located near the Badland wall about 8 miles northeast of Interior SD.

Keith rode his horse to Grade school both 2 miles north of their house and 8 miles to Interior. He graduated from Kadoka High School in 1946. Keith attended South Dakota State University in Brookings, and joined the Army ROTC. His 109th Engineers of the National Guard unit out of Rapid City was called to active duty to Fort Bragg, NC during the Korean War. He was the only member of the unit that knew how to drive the large dozer to move dirt and was one of his Company’s best marksman. Keith was honorably discharged on October 15, 1951 as a US Army Master Sergeant. On his return to South Dakota he completed his college education and received a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering in 1955 from SDSU.

In 1956 Keith married Dorothy Regas in Grand Junction, Colorado. They purchased the ranch adjoining his parents’ ranch from his uncle James & Aunt Ada (Buerck) Bateman.

Keith raised a purebred herd of Scotch Highland cattle and was President of the National Scotch Highlander Association in 1969.

Keith and Dorothy restored the Prairie Homestead original sod dug out home in 1962. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1974. Keith was awarded the Individual Historical Preservation award by the State Historical Society in 2017 for his work at the Prairie Homestead.

Keith & Dorothy also built Prairie Fuels gas station at Cactus Flat, SD in 1970.

Keith was a Jackson County Commissioner in 1974 when the new courthouse was built and Jackson and Washabaugh County combined. He also served on the Jackson County Selective Service board from 1972-1996.

In 1982, Keith developed a computer program on one of the first Apple computers to balance cattle rations.

Keith was an eccentric character and was always busy with some sort of new invention he had created. Everyone who knew him had a story about him.

Gone before him are his son Shane, wife Dorothy, brother Merle, close friend Joyce Whitcomb, and great grandsons Baby Boy Crew and Flint River Crew.

Keith is survived by his son Grady and his wife Bernice Crew of Cactus Flat, SD; his daughter Casey and her husband Gary Blom of Yankton, SD; grandchildren, Josh (Christin) Blom, Cole (Sara) Blom, Caleb (Megan) Crew, and Jamie (Tony) Farmen; great grandchildren, Brady, Chloe, Elly, Emelia, Harlan, Brita & Eva; and close friends Ellen Speck and Karen Whitcomb.

A visitation will be held one hour prior to the funeral service at the church.

Funeral services will be held 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, December 31, at Concordia Lutheran Church in Kadoka with Doug Heck officiating.

Interment with military honors will follow at the Kadoka Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers the family asks that donations be made to the Concordia Lutheran Church in Kadoka.

Guest Book

Prayers to the family. I have great memories working with Keith.
~ Amy Stilwell Kadoka SD (12/27/2019)

We are so sorry to hear about Keith passing. We have known Keith in so many ways over the years. All of our family has great memories of working with Keith. He was a great visionary and always fun to visit with. He will be missed. Our prayers are with all of you.
~ Marion & Darlene Matt Philip, SD (12/27/2019)

so sorry he was a wonderful man always kind to Phil and I
~ Joann Stark from Cottonwood now IA (12/28/2019)

Sorry for your loss. Our prayers are with you.
~ Kari and Kendall Kjerstad Grand Junction CO (12/28/2019)

Sympathy and prayers for Keith's family and friends.
~ Donna Bodkin Craven Rapid City (12/28/2019)

Sending our love and sympathy to all of Keith's family. He was a great friend and we always enjoyed visiting with him. We will miss him.
~ Ron and Marilyn Gartner Casa Grande AZ (12/28/2019)

Sorry for you loss. My sympathies and prayers go out to the Crew family.
~ Mark Owens Sioux Fall, SD (1/3/2020)

Colorado
~ Kimberly M Anderson Littleton (12/28/2019)

Keith will be missed. He always had pictures and a story to tell.
~ Ron and Connie Twiss Interior (12/29/2019)

Sending our Prayers your way, Keith was a family friend for many years,sorry for your loss.
~ Bruce and Bonnie Madsen Kadoka South Dakota (12/26/2019)

Linc and I feel blessed to have known Keith. He was an honorable gentleman and very supportive. I always enjoyed visiting with him when he stopped into the Alex Johnson Mercantile. Our love and sympathy to his family.
~ Elaine Ainsworth Piedmont, sd (12/29/2019)

On behalf of my mother, Phyllis Drawbaugh, and my sisters, Ann Hurt, Dorothy Hill and Marie Fleenor and myself, we would like to extend our deepest sympathies to the family. Our mom and Keith's wife, Dorothy, were nursing school classmates and dear friends. Our family enjoyed many visits to the Crew family ranch and loved the Prairie Homestead. We will always remember Keith and Dorothy with fondest memories. So very sorry for your loss.
~ Jean Martin Chadron, Ne (12/28/2019)

He was such a nice man! Loved his flowers at the entrance of the Homestead! Prayers and hugs to all the family! The tribute video is wonderful! Great memories of a great man and his family and legacy.
~ Alecia Fortune Interior (12/31/2019)

So sorry to hear of Keith's passing. Cherish the memories which I am sure you will!!
~ Jean Holzkamp Kadoka, SD (12/29/2019)

Sorry to hear about Keith. He lived and enjoyed life to the fullest and his legacy will continue on in his family and business. A great man!!
~ Pam and Keith Bonenberger Kadoka (12/27/2019)

South Dakota
~ Colton & Abbi McDaniel Philip (12/29/2019)

So sorry for your loss - prayers to you and your family.
~ Eileen Stolley Kadoka (12/27/2019)

Thanks for serving
~ A VETERAN (12/29/2019)

So sorry to hear of Keith's passing. He was such a good guy. You all have my deepest sympathy. Its a hard loss.
~ Cindy Kruse Henderson, NV (12/30/2019)

Sorry to hear about Keith passing he will b missed by his family and friends
~ Jerry and Carol Tucker Chula Ga (12/27/2019)

Keith will certainly be missed. He was such a walking history book! So enjoyed visiting with him when he stopped by.
~ George & Shirley Dennis Philip, SD (12/29/2019)

Sorry to here of Kieths passing. He always had a story to tell. I enjoyed visits with him. Thoughts and prayers!
~ Georgia Moos Philip (12/29/2019)

What a truly remarkable man, who was filled full of stories and life. A true man of his word...rest in peace, you will be missed.
~ Ken and Loree Thompson Wall, SD (12/28/2019)

Keith will be missed by many. He was a good man. He was always busy doing something.
~ Kori Rae (Hill) Grass Rapid City SD (1/1/2020)

We are so sorry for your loss. We very much enjoyed our visits with Keith on his ranch. We will miss him.
~ Glen and Sue Papenfuss Kasson, Minnesota (12/27/2019)

Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you.
~ Jenny & John Hopper Australia (1/2/2020)

Keith Crew

of Philip, South Dakota, died on Thursday, December 26, 2019
at the Avera Sister James Nursing Home in Yankton at the age of 91

Service Details

Guest Book

Flowers

Keith Crew

of Philip, South Dakota, died on Thursday, December 26, 2019 at the Avera Sister James Nursing Home in Yankton at the age of 91

Service Details

Guest Book

Flowers

of Philip, South Dakota, died on Thursday, December 26, 2019
at the Avera Sister James Nursing Home in Yankton at the age of 91