Keith Herold, 65, Lefor, died Saturday, December 9, 2017 surrounded by family at Sanford Health, Bismarck. Keith’s Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10 a.m., Thursday, December 14, 2017 at St. Elizabeth’s Catholic Church, Lefor with Fr. Gary Benz as the celebrant. Interment will follow at St. Elizabeth’s Cemetery. Visitation will be Wednesday, 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Ladbury Funeral Service, Dickinson and will continue one hour prior to services at the church on Thursday. There will be a Knights of Columbus Rosary and Vigil at 7 p.m., Wednesday at Ladbury Funeral Service.
Keith Herold was born on January 25, 1952 in Dickinson, the oldest child of John and Pauline (Kaufman) Herold’s family of seven. He grew up and attended grade school at St. Elizabeth’s, graduating from Lefor High School in 1970.
Keith met the love of his life, Debbie Emmil, on a blind date. He always said, “It was love at first sight.” Keith and Debbie were married on April 24, 1971 at St. Bernard’s Catholic Church, Belfield. Keith and Debbie lived, farmed, and raised their four children; Lisa, Brian, Kimberly, and Valerie in the Lefor area.
Keith and Debbie ran a dairy operation (24 years) and was currently farming and ranching. Keith held numerous jobs and it was not unusual for him to have two to three jobs at one time. Other jobs included farmhand, stockyard hand, trucking, and TMI (13 years). In 2010, Keith and Debbie purchased their own semi-truck and formed KDH Transport.
Keith was a member of the Knights of Columbus Council #5477 (most recently serving as the Grand Knight), St. Elizabeth’s Church, Lefor School Board, Martin Racing Team, and the Lefor Pool Team. Keith knew practically everyone. He would be able to pick up a conversation with anyone and figure out he knew someone they were related to. He was so quick at remembering names and faces of anyone he met. In fact, Keith was the “go to” person at the Lefor Steak and Shrimp events. Whenever an order came up they would give it to Keith because he knew so many people and could deliver them their meal. Keith also enjoyed spending his time watching NASCAR and football (especially the RAIDERS), sharing his love of farming with his grandchildren, and playing cards or games with friends and family.
Keith was diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukemia in March of 2017. Keith fought a courageous battle with Debbie always by his side and “Team Pops” cheering him on. In Keith’s last days on our precious earth, he was surrounded in love and prayer by Debbie, their children, and grandchildren. On December 9, 2017 at Sanford Health in Bismarck, Keith was overcome by his sickness.
Keith is survived by his wife, Debbie; son, Brian (Kim) Herold, New England; three daughters, Lisa (Allen) Fichter, Dickinson, Kimberly (Tom) Perkins, Rock Island, Ill., Valerie (Dustin) Bakken, Bismarck; two brothers, John Mark (Lori) Herold, Bismarck, and Kelly Herold, Winona, Minn.; three sisters, Betty Lou (Gary) Schell, Stanley, Belinda (Emmett) Lynch, Watertown, Minn., and Bonnie (Keith) Benz, Bismarck; mother and father-in-law, Sarah and Herb Emmil, Belfield; sister-in-law, Denise (Mark) Hewson, Dickinson; three brothers-in-law, Darrell Emmil, Bismarck, David (Annie) Emmil, Reno, Nev., and Don (Sue) Emmil, Dickinson; nine grandchildren: Bryce, Brady, and Cole Fichter; Mason Herold, Tianna Brenneise, Zachary and Aiden Perkins; Adison and Everett Bakken; four grand puppies, Teddy B, Shorty, Toby, Pebbles; and numerous nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, John and Pauline Herold; brother, Ken Herold; two sisters-in-law, Mary Emmil and Ruth Emmil; and grand puppy, Harley D.
The Herold family would like to extend a special thanks to all those that assisted with the 2017 spring seeding, Farm Rescue and volunteers for the 2017 harvest, all the nurses and his medical teams at Sanford Health and Mayo Clinic that Keith got to know so well.
