KEITH DEURMIER

Funeral services for Keith Deurmier, 84, of Armour were Monday, February 24 at the Crosby-Jaeger Funeral Home in Wagner. Burial was in the ZCBJ Cemetery, rural Wagner.

Keith Eugene Deurmier was born October 15, 1935 on a farm on the Missouri River bottom in Charles Mix County to Jesse and Lucille (Jones) Deurmier. He died Thursday, February 20, 2020 at Advantara Armour in Armour.

Keith grew up on the farm and attended grade school at a country school in Rouse Township. He graduated from Wagner High School in 1953. He attained an Associate Degree from Dakota Wesleyan University in Mitchell and a Bachelors Degree in Economics from the same university in 1988. He returned to the University of South Dakota Law School and obtained a Law Degree in 1991 at age 56.

Keith worked in the lumber and construction business from 1954 until 1980. He managed lumber yards in Springfield, Wagner and Mitchell until 1970, when he purchased his own business in Avon and later expanded to Plankinton in 1974. He served as a director and state president of the South Dakota Retail Lumberman’s Association in 1969. After selling his lumber yards in 1980, he farmed and raised Shorthorn cattle south of Mitchell and practiced law in Wagner.

Keith married Betty Hoffman, a high school classmate, on June 14, 1954. Three sons and a daughter were born to this union.

Keith loved the peace and quiet of the country and loved the Missouri River hills where he was born. He enjoyed reading and working with young animals. He was proud of his Shorthorn cattle and miniature ponies. He was a member of the El Riad Shrine and the Masonic Lodge.

Keith is survived by his wife Betty of Armour; three sons: Dennis (Carol) Deurmier of Yankton, Douglas (Teresa) Deurmier of Mitchell, and Donald (Lorita) Deurmier of Rapid City; daughter Deb McCarty (Steve Christianson) of Sioux Falls; seven grandchildren: Danielle Deurmier, Brandi Deurmier Hanson, Sarah Deurmier, Laura Cooper, Tim McCarty, Hannah Schiermeister and Luke Deurmier; nine great grandchildren; brother Arnold (Donna) Deurmier of Mitchell; and sisters-in-law, Marge Hall and Mavis Hoffman, both of Wagner.

Keith was preceded in death by his parents, grandparents: William (Maude) Deurmier and Charles (Hattie) Jones; and son-in-law Patrick McCarty.

Keith will be remembered as a good businessman, an honest lawyer, a fair landlord and a lousy farmer.