Keith Ivan Ross, 79, formerly of Artesian, died May 26, 2016, at Firesteel Nursing Home in Mitchell.
Visitation was from 1-2 p.m., followed by the memorial service at 2 p.m. Thursday, June 2, at the American Legion Hall in Artesian.
Keith Ivan Ross was born Sept. 24, 1936, to Claude H. and Vera (Seiders) Ross in Ethan. He attended grade school at the Farwell School south of Artesian, and graduated from Artesian High School in 1955.
He was drafted into the Army in 1956, served his basic training at Ft. Smith in Arkansas and went on to medical training at Ft. Sam Houston, Texas. He served the rest of his military duty at Ft. Richardson, near Anchorage, Alaska.
Upon his return home, Keith resumed farming with his parents. He married Grace Williams on Oct. 12, 1959, and to this union, three children were born. They farmed north of Salem for several years, and in 1968, moved to a farm south of Artesian, where they farmed with his parents until 1973 when they purchased a farm north of Artesian. While living south of Artesian, he served on the Ravenna Township Board and filled the post of Surgeon General for the local VFW in Mitchell.
Keith is survived by two sons, Ron (Kazy) Ross of Earleville, Md., and Leo (Susan) Ross of Colton; one daughter, Valorie (Chad) Hilde of San Bernardino, Calif.; two brothers, Ellis LaVern (JoAnn) Ross of Watford City, N.D., and Glenn Ross of Denver, Colo.; one sister, Dorothy Learn of Minneapolis, Minn.; four grandchildren; sister-in-law, Leona Ross of Mitchell; and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Clyde (Buck) Ross; brother-in-law, James Learn; sister-in-law, Iva Ross; and four nephews, Michael Ross, Ward Ross, Dennis Ross and Chuck Ross.
Visit www.willoughbyfh.com.