Keith A. Gregerson, age 91, of Baldwin died peacefully Saturday July 20, 2013 at the Baldwin Care Center. Keith was born on January 5, 1922 in River Falls, Wisconsin; the son of Alfred and Pearl (Kimberly) Gregerson. He was baptized into faith May 19th in River Falls by Pastor George A. Bird and later confirmed into faith on May 12, 1935 by Pastor HP Nordby. In the year 1924, he moved with his parents to the Baldwin area. In 1926 (the year Hwy 12 was built), they would buy a farm on ‘old 12’ east of Baldwin.

Keith was raised on this farm while attending East Baldwin Country School. It was here he would meet a young charming girl; Marvel Preble. They would become best friends and would later be united in marriage on June 12, 1943 at the Baldwin Evangelical Church by Pastor Nordby. This union would be further blessed with five sons; Robert, Gary, Doug, Richard, and Brian. They raised their family on the farm after he and Marvel took it over from his parents.

Keith was active within the community and very civic minded. He served as board supervisor for the Township of Baldwin, school board for East Baldwin School, and was extremely active with Gethsemane Lutheran where he served on every board, was council president, and taught Sunday School. His favorite activity was being in the church choir, where he faithfully served for 50 years. In 1966, they sold the farm and built a new home across the field from where they farmed. They would live there for 27 more years. In 1968, they purchased the Dairy Queen and would own and operate it for eight years meeting many wonderful friends from all over the country. They sold the DQ to Clyde Jacobson in 1976. Following the death of Wallace TeGrootenhuis in 1976, who owned Wally’s men’s clothing, Keith purchased the business. They would operate the business for a few years before deciding it was not his ‘calling’ and sold out the business. Furthermore, he drove school bus for nearly twenty years for both Baldwin-Woodville and St. Croix Central districts while he was in business. Driving bus gave him the utmost pleasure as he loved children. Keith had the distinct privilege of serving as president of the Lutheran Brotherhood branch for St. Croix County as well as chairman St. Croix County’s Long Term Care Committee. He was always happy to help many people with all of the boards he resided on over the years. In 1993, they would sell their country home and move into the village of Baldwin.

Keith and Marvel thoroughly enjoyed playing cards with their ‘500’ group for 50 years as they became such a great group of friends. They also traveled around the country and globe by motorhome and air to such places as the Texas Pan handle and the Grand Canyon. One of his most memorable trips was in 1990, when they visited Russia with the New Richmond Marching Band. Keith always appreciated living in the United States following his travel experiences to other countries.

Keith will remain in the hearts of his wife and soul mate Marvel; sons Robert (Linda) Gregerson of Northfield, MN, Gary (Velda) Gregerson of Sioux Falls, SD, Doug (Connie) Gregerson of Buffalo, MN, Richard (Wendy) Gregerson of Amery, Brian (LaJuan) Gregerson of Norton, KS; grandchildren Lisa (Bill) Radloff, Laura (Chris) Brovold, Matthew (Nadine) Gregerson, Neal Gregerson, Jennifer (John) Rickinger, Kyleen (Adam) Engelstad, Jason Gregerson, Amber (Collin) Dahl, Avril (Jason) Wood, Matt Gregerson, John Gregerson, Jordan Gregerson, Caleb Gregerson, step grandchildren Christa (Bryan) Blaser, Luke (Ashley) Edin, David (Christy) Edin; great grandchildren Caleb, Kindre, Anders, Soren, Erin, Rianne, Brandon, Jacob, Courtney, step great grandchildren Michaela, Merissa, Sophia, and Ian. Keith was welcomed into heaven by his parents, his granddaughter Cindy, and step great grandson Levi as they have preceded him in death.

Funeral service for Keith will be 11AM Thursday, July 25 at Gethsemane Lutheran Church in Baldwin with Pastor Carrie Anderson officiating. Interment will be in the Baldwin Cemetery with his grandchildren serving as casketbearers. Visitation will be on Wednesday from 4PM to 8PM at the O’Connell Family Funeral Home in Baldwin and one hour prior to the service at church on Thursday morning. Memorials preferred to Gethsemane Lutheran Church.