Keith Farstveet

Funeral services for Keith Farstveet, 84, of Beach, will be 2:00 p.m. MDT, Friday, October 5, 2012 at First Lutheran Church in Beach, ND with Pastor J. T. Burk officiating. Interment will follow in the Beach Lutheran Cemetery with full Military Rites by the Beach American Legion, Harley Salzman Post #5 and the North Dakota National Guard Honor Guard.


Visitation for Keith will be from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., Thursday, October 4, 2012 at First Lutheran Church with a prayer service being held at 7:00 p. m. Visitation will continue from 10:00 a.m. until the time of service on Friday.


Keith passed away Tuesday, October 2, 2012 at St. Joseph’s Hospital and Health Center in Dickinson surrounded by his family.


Keith Eugene Farstveet was born April 24, 1928 in Thelen, ND, the son of Knute K. and Elsie (Geyer) Farstveet. He grew up on the family farm south of Beach and attended school in Beach. Keith graduated from Beach High School in 1946. After graduation, Keith farmed for a few years before joining the United States Marine Corp and served as a helicopter mechanic. He served during the Korean War as well as being a part of the Atomic Testing in Nevada. After being honorably discharged in 1954, he returned to Beach. On June 12, 1956, Keith and Myrna Orstad were united in marriage at First Lutheran Church in Beach. The couple made their home on a farm near Wibaux, MT for eight years before settling on the Samuel’s farm south of Beach where they made their home and raised their family. Retiring to Beach in 1994, Keith stayed active on the farm until the very end of his life. Keith was very active in his community where he taught Sunday school and served on the Church Council at First Lutheran Church. He was a member of the Golva School Board for 21 years and proudly presented his five children their high school diplomas. Keith also served on the Farmers Union Oil Board for 18 years, was a member of the Badlands Human Service Board, N. D. Dairy Herd Association, Voice of Democracy Program, County Commissioner, Regional Coal Team, County Canvassing Board for Votes, Selective Service Board, Water Resource Board, and RC&D Water Board. He was very influential in getting Southwest Water to western North Dakota. Keith was the first recipient of the Lewis Odland Memorial Award and served as the County Democratic Chairman. He was the NDSU Harvest Bowl Recipient of Golden Valley County for Outstanding Agriculturist. In his early years, Keith enjoyed flying, bowling, and target shooting; and later in life hunting, fishing and making windmills. He was a tremendous speaker and an accomplished story teller. Keith was always an eternal optimist; thinking tomorrow would always be a better day. Keith had many challenges in his life, but always had great faith and was a great example for his family and friends.


Keith is survived by his wife, Myrna; children, Laurette Steger of Norman, OK, Renee (Jim) Forney of Norman, OK, Ryan (Mary) of Bismarck, and Rory (Stephanie) of Beach ; nine grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; five brothers, Alvin (Margie) of Beach, ND, Ellef of Aurora, CO, Gary (Margie) of Beach, Rex (Myrna) of Dickinson, and Craig of Winnemucca, NV; three sisters, Eleanore (Vern) Ward of Omaha, NE, Marjorie (Richard) Mosser of Beach, and Sharon Dietz of Beach.


He was preceded in death by his parents; one daughter, Cheryl; one brother, Knute; one sister-in-law, Cheri Farstveet; and one nephew, Scott Ward.


Click to View Program (PDF)


Burial Date: October 5, 2012
Funeral Home Dickinson, ND

Funeral Service: Friday, First Lutheran Church, Beach, ND