Keith James Stroup

Keith Stroup, age 86, of Marshall and formerly of Clarkfield, Minnesota, died on Wednesday, October 6, 2021, at the Johnson Memorial Care Center in Dawson, Minnesota. Memorial Services are 2:00 p.m. Saturday, October 9, 2021, at the Clarkfield Lutheran Church in Clarkfield, Minnesota. Military Honors will follow the service and interment will then be in the Clarkfield Lutheran Cemetery. A reception for attendees will follow the burial, back at the church. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service on Saturday, October 9, 2021, from 1:00 p.m. until the time of services at 2:00 p.m. at the Clarkfield Lutheran Church.

Keith James Stroup, son of Verva Mae Hemm and James William Stroup, was born on January 15, 1935, at the Clarkfield hospital. Keith attended Clarkfield Public School where he played football and acted in the class plays, graduating in 1953. He then attended South Dakota State University in Brookings, South Dakota, where he continued playing football. In January of 1955, he enlisted in the U.S. Army and served with Co A 54th Eng Bn (c) 4th Armored Division. While in the Army, Keith participated in Operation Sagebrush, served as a heavy equipment operator building roads in Louisiana and then Germany, and patrolled the Czechoslovakian border. He was discharged in 1957 and returned home to begin farming the family farm.

He met the love of his life, Ethel Thompson, at a dance in Montevideo and often said it was love at first sight. They were joined in marriage at Riverside Lutheran Church in Dawson, Minnesota, on June 22, 1958. They had 3 children, Kevin, Cassandra and Wade. Keith especially enjoyed and never missed attending every church and school activity of his children and grandchildren. He was a wonderful son, husband, father, grandfather and friend to many. He was loved so much.

Keith farmed for over 40 years. He also fed livestock and especially enjoyed raising and feeding cattle. Keith also sold Asgrow seed for many years to over 50 customers and won Outstanding Sales awards.

He was a baptized member of the United Methodist Church of Clarkfield, serving on the church board and as an usher. In 1999, he transferred to Clarkfield Lutheran Church. Keith was a member of the Anderson Tongen Post 559 Hazel Run American Legion where he served as Commander, Membership Chair, and Treasurer. He served as President for the Farmers Union and as a Board Member of the original Yellow Medicine County Pork Producers. Keith also served 12 years on the Clarkfield School Board, both as Chairman of the Board and as Treasurer.

Keith had a passion for flight and he enjoyed using his private pilot’s license to take family and friends for rides in his Cessna. Keith spent many fun hours golfing with his friends in both Arizona and Minnesota and drinking coffee at the round table. Keith was an avid hunter and took several trips out west with his sons where he once shot a deer from over 600 yards. He and his wife enjoyed traveling to many of the states in the United States, Mexico, the Bahamas, Canada, and Germany. The couple also enjoyed spending many winters in Lake Havasu, Arizona.

He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Ethel Margaret; children, Kevin Keith Stroup - Attorney; Cassandra Ann (Pete) Anderson - Finance Associate; Wade Andrew Stroup - Professional Engineer; grandchildren, Caitlin Mackenzie Stroup, Will James Anderson, Ryan Alexander Stroup, Lily Anastasia Stroup; bonus grandson, Gregory Matthew Anderson; and many nieces and nephews, other relatives and friends.

Keith is preceded in death by his parents, Verva Mae and James William Stroup; sisters, Ruby Solberg, Jean (Leonard) Cederholm; niece and nephews, David Solberg, Robert Solberg, and Beverly Solberg.