Keith Rawland Fernsler, 78, Dickinson, passed away on Tuesday, May 16, 2023 at his home. Keith’s Celebration of Life Service will be held at 7 p.m., Tuesday, May 23, 2023 at First Congregational Church-UCC, Dickinson with Pastor Janel Kolar officiating. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the church.
Keith Rawland Fernsler was born on March 24, 1945, in Mishawaka, IN, to Harvey Fernsler and Edith (Rawland) Fernsler. As a high school student in Mishawaka, Keith began what would be a lifetime of participation in music, involvement in organizations, and community engagement as a participant in speech, debate, choir, and numerous other activities. As a senior in high school, he wrote his first letter to the editor in support of a local political candidate.
After his high school graduation, Keith headed to Indiana University in Bloomington, IN, where he completed a BA (1967) and an MA (1972) in sociology. He rounded out his education with a PhD from the University of Montana, Missoula, in 1979. His son, Andrew, was born while Keith was in graduate school in MT. Keith then began his career in higher education, which took him from St. Ambrose and Mary Crest in Iowa to Christopher Newport College in Virginia and finally to Dickinson State University, where he served as professor of sociology from 1982-2008. Upon his retirement from DSU, he became Professor Emeritus of sociology. Keith was not quite ready for complete retirement, so in 1999 he began working as a research design and data analyst for DLN Consulting.
Keith met Naomi Thorson at Dickinson State University. They were married in 1987 and made their home in Dickinson with their son, Adam.
In addition to his belief in the importance of education, Keith was a firm believer in community involvement. Through the years, Keith was a member of the Dickinson Forestry Committee, St. Joseph’s Hospital Ethics Committee, ND Board of Social Work Examiners, Happy Sing-A-Long Singers, Dickinson Public Library Foundation Board, Kiwanis, Eagles, Elks, and the ND Democratic NPL Party, to name just a few.
Keith managed to fit in a few hobbies, too, including singing, playing guitar, fishing, reading (especially mysteries), solving crossword puzzles, cooking, cheering on the Cubs and Twins, watching the WNBA, driving through the Badlands, and traveling.
Keith is survived by his wife, Naomi Thorson; sons Andrew Fernsler (Wilmington, OH) and Adam (Brandi Herauf) Thorson-Fernsler (Bismarck, ND); sister Yvonne Vida (Mishawaka, IN); and numerous nieces, nephews, grand-nieces, and grand-nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Harvey and Edith Fernsler; brother Bill Fernsler; and sister Arline McLemore.
In remembrance of Keith’s life, the family asks that any charitable donations be made to the American Sociological Association, the National Parks Foundation, the Dickinson Library Foundation, or First Congregational Church, United Church of Christ.
