Keith Harold Bergquist of Yankton, South Dakota, formerly of rural Hooper, Nebraska, passed away peacefully at Avera Sister James Care Center in Yankton on Thursday, Sept. 21, 2023, at the age of 84. He was born to Harold and Margaret (Daubert) Bergquist on Oct. 26, 1938, at the Oakland Hospital. He grew up on the Bergquist family homestead, until his family moved to a new farm in 1950. This is then where Keith lived most of his life.

He attended school at Dodge County District #17 (Swaburg) in rural Hooper through eighth grade. He then went to Uehling High School, where he graduated in 1956. He attended Luther Junior College in Wahoo, Nebraska. He was baptized and confirmed his faith at Elim Lutheran Church (Swaburg) in rural Hooper, where he was an active lifetime member.

Keith married Mary Louise Engdahl at First Lutheran Church of Oakland, Nebraska, on March 23, 1974. He and Mary were blessed with one daughter, Karin Marguerite, on Aug. 28, 1976.

He was active duty in the U.S. Army from 1958-1960. After his discharge from the Army, Keith returned home to farm with his dad on the family farm. Farming was his passion, and he was proud to be a fifth generation Nebraska farmer. His farm received the Pioneer Farm Family Award in 1993. In his later years, he enjoyed collecting antique John Deere tractors and participated in many antique tractor rides.

Keith was an active member of his community. He was a member of the Dodge County Livestock Feeders, Nebraska Cattlemen's Association, Dodge County Pork Producers, the Dodge County Extension Board and 4-H council, the Uehling Co-op and Agland Co-Op Boards, Producers Livestock Marketing Association and Credit Corporation, the Old Iron Tractor Club, and the American Legion in Yankton through the Majestic Bluffs Assisted Living. He was a founding member of the Uehling Community Foundation and served on the Elim Lutheran Church board.

He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Mary; special friend, Marlene Moseman; sister, Marlene (Robert) Lindstrom; sisters-in-law, Vernelle (Paul) Kellogg and Ilene (Charles) Lundquist; brother-in-law, Carrol Engdahl; and great-nephew, Tyler Lindstrom.

He is survived by his daughter, Karin (Jon) Heine of rural Fordyce, Nebraska; two granddaughters, Mary Louise and Anna Margaret of rural Fordyce; sister-in-law, Roma Engdahl; and many beloved nephews and nieces.

Funeral Service: Thursday, Sept. 28, 2023, 10:30 a.m. at Elim Lutheran Church, rural Hooper, Nebraska Visitation: Wednesday, 5-7 p.m., Prayer Service 7 p.m., all at Pelan Funeral Services in Oakland.

Burial: Swaburg Cemetery, rural Hooper

Memorials: Swaburg Cemetery and Uehling Fire and Rescue

Pelan Funeral Services Oakland, Oakland, NE 68045, 402-685-5673, pelanfuneralservices.com

Published by Fremont Tribune on Sep. 26, 2023.