Keith M. Danielson

Keith M. Danielson, age 84, of Garretson, South Dakota, passed away on Saturday, March 31, 2007 at Palisade Manor in Garretson. Funeral services will begin at 1:00 P.M. Tuesday, April 3, at Zion Lutheran Church in Garretson. Visitation will begin at 2:00 P.M. with the family present from 6-7:30 P.M. Monday with a Masonic Service beginning at 7:30 P.M. at the Minnehaha Funeral Home, Garretson.

Keith Marvin Danielson was born on November 12, 1922 in Woonsocket, South Dakota to Samuel and Emma (Benson) Danielson. At a young age, he moved with his family to Colman, South Dakota. He was confirmed at Colman Lutheran Church and graduated from Colman High School. Following his graduation he entered the U.S. Army in 1943 and served during World War II in France and Germany. Keith was discharged from the Army in 1946.


On May 11, 1946, Keith married Mary Ronk in Vermillion, South Dakota. The couple settled in Sioux Falls where Keith worked at Olson Lumber Company for three years until becoming assistant manager for his father’s lumber yard in Colman. Later they moved to Marion, South Dakota where Keith managed a lumber yard. In 1957, the family moved to Garretson where Keith managed the Farmer’s Co-Op Lumber Yard until his retirement in 1984.


Keith was a member of Zion Lutheran Church in Garretson and the Garretson American Legion. He was also a past member of the Palisade Lodge No. 201 A.F. & A.M. and a current member of the Dell Rapids Lodge No. 40 A.F. & A.M. Keith enjoyed wood working and spending time with his family. He especially enjoyed the time he spent at the family cabin on Lake Madison.

Grateful for having shared his life are his wife, Mary of Garretson; children: Sandy DeBates and her husband, Don of Garretson; Bert Danielson and his wife, Linda of Sherman; Marcia Danielson of Minneapolis, Minnesota; and Michael Danielson and his wife, Mary of Omaha, Nebraska; six grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; a brother, DOn Danielson of Mesa, Arizona; special family friends, Liz and Marc Norlin; and many nieces, nephews and other relatives and friends.

Keith was preceded in death by his parents, a sister, Bea Cole, and a brother, Arlton “Bud” Danielson.