Keith M. Raben, age 83 of Miles City, Montana passed away Wednesday, January 1st, 2014 at the Holy Rosary Extended Care in Miles City.
Keith was born in McIntosh, Minnesota on August 4, 1930, the oldest son of Christian and Mabel (Jensen) Raben. Keith attended schools in McIntosh , Minnesota and farmed with his father and brother Roy on a diversified dairy and potato farm until he enlisted in 1952 with the United States Army Air Corp. He was trained with the combat Army Corp of Engineers. He specialized in bomb dismantling and air-strip construction. Keith was on special assignment stationed in Chelveston, England with Co “A”, 817th EAB, RAF Sta., while his company went to Korea. Corporal Raben was honorably discharged with numerous merits and special awards, including expert riflemanship the National Defense Service Medal in 1954, followed by 6 years of inactive reserve. Keith continued farming while attending Hansen Mechanical School, Moorhead, Minnesota. Keith married Donna Mae Katherine Ferden August 28th 1955. Keith and Donna moved to Montana where he worked as a finish blade operator for LaLonde Construction, then Lou Richardson Construction until 1972 and finished his career with Riverside Construction, retiring at the age of 62.
Keith had faith, loved family, boating, fishing, and restoring tractors. He was a member of First Lutheran Church of Miles City, VFW and Eagles. Keith was a lifetime member of International Operating Engineers Local 400; Keith had the most recorded years of service with the union in Montana.
Keith is survived by his three daughters: Deborah (Randy) Miller of Denhoff, ND; Melissa (Wayne) Rolf of Miles City, MT; and Anita (James) Scheeler of Gillette, WY; a brother, Roy (Judy) Raben of Erskine, MN; two sisters-in-law: Olive Ferden and Shirley (Derry) DeFrang both of McIntosh, MN; six grandchildren: Jordan (Tasha) Miller, Lindsay (Matt) Siebenaler, Ryan (Nicole) Rolf, Lauren (Graham) Kehrer, Chase and Jeff Scheeler; five great grandchildren: Kenneth, Darick, Ryker and Elizabeth Mae Miller; and Harrison Kehrer.
Visitation will be held on Sunday, January 5, 2014 with family receiving friends from 2:00-4:00 p.m. at Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home in Miles City. Funeral services will be held on Monday, January 6, 2014 at 1:00 p.m. the First Lutheran Church 512 S. Cale Ave. in Miles City. Lunch to be served following. Interment will be held on April 18, 2014 at 10:00 am with full military honors at the Custer County Cemetery in Miles City, lunch and fellowship to follow. Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home of Miles City is in charge of the arrangements.
Service Schedule
Interment with Full Military Honors
10:00 a.m.
Friday April 18, 2014
Custer County Cemetery
Miles City, Montana 59301
Service Schedule
Interment with Full Military Honors
10:00 a.m.
Friday April 18, 2014
Custer County Cemetery
Miles City, Montana 59301
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Joan Smith says
Melissa,Nita, Deb & Family, We are so sadden to hear of your dads passing. I know how much you loved him and being so close on the ranch was so wonderful when the kids were growing up etc. That has built a special bond that will never be lost but cherished with memories now. I wish I was closer to hug you as you did me when my dad passed….please know my thoughts are with you all through the difficult days ahead. Love, Joan and Chelcey Smith
Pam (Moths) Nisley & Hubby Dave says
Anita, Melissa and Deb, and families, I am so sorry to see your dad has passed on~ We are praying for all of you to feel comfort from Our Heavenly Father. We care, it is very hard to lose our parents. Much love to all, Dave and Pam Nisley
Scot and Angy says
Thoughts and prayers for you guys.
Gail Finch Shipek says
To all the Raben girls,
So sorry to hear of your father’s passing.
My memories of your family go way back to before we went to school. Our families had some fun times! All my thoughts are happy when I hear “Rabens”.
Take care and God bless you all.
Gail Shipek
GARY AND PAT HELM says
dear ones so sorry about your dad and grandpa, please know our prayers go out to you and yours. he is in a much better place where he will be safe. god bless all of you in your time of sorrow.
Penny (Sumer) Schmidt says
Melissa, Deb, and Anita I was sadden to read this morning that your dad had passed away. Please know that you are in my thought and in my prayers. May memories keep him deep in your hearts and always with you.
Peace be with you
Penny
Kathy Culy says
Thinking of you all at this sad sad time. His picture captures his kindness and happiness perfectly. Sending hugs to you all and may your memories help with your broken hearts.
Barb Stoler Seibert says
Was so sadden to hear of yours dads passing. My thoughts are with you.
Rod & Lynette Christensen says
Melissa, Anita, and Debbie…
You and your parents are part of my growing up memories. Time spent in your home is remembered with smiles and warmth. It was very sad to read of your Dad’s passing and my heart aches for your loss. Please know we have you in our thoughts and prayers… and the Raben family will always be a part of my life in memories.
A friend down the street…
Lynette Miller-Christensen
Dave and Vickie Gunderson says
Melissa, Wayne and families we are so sorry for your loss. God Bless you all thru the difficult days ahead..let the fond memories help in easing the pain. Hugs to all of you..
Robet Goodson says
Rip. Keith we had many good times fishing at Rock Creek… You always knew how to put a smile on our faces…. To the family ,,Keith was an awesome man and it was a honer to have share time fishing and talking about the big one that got away….. he will be miss hugs and prayers to you all
Keith and Barb Hoover says
Wayne,Melissa and family,
Please accept my deepest sympathies. My thoughts and prayers are with you all.
Dean & Dorte Scheeler says
Girls – so sorry to hear about your dad. We feel very privileged that we got to spent Thanksgiving with you all at his house. It was clear that his house was always filled with love and warmth.
Our thoughts are with you.
Love,
Dorte
Deb Bartholomew says
Melissa, Anita, Debbie and Families
I was sorry to hear of the loss of your Dad. My thoughts and prayers are with you all. Always remember “When A Loved One Becomes a Memory That Memory Becomes A Treasure”. Your Dad with always be a Treasure in your hearts. Hugs to all!
anita scheeler says
Thank you all for your thoughts and expressions. We are going to miss our father greatly. But we are also thankful that he will be with our loving mother in heaven.
Pam (Moths) Nisley says
I so had hoped to come and express my sympathies to all of you this Friday. Sadly I will not be there in person, but will continue to lift all of you in prayer. What lovely daughters your parents have – may you all be comforted with the loving arms of our Heavenly Father. We care~ Dave and Pam
Karen Stewart-Carrico says
Debbie, Melissa, and Anita,
So sorry to hear about the passing of your Dad. I pray memories of him bring you joy, make you smile, and bring you much comfort. I’ll be thinking of you on Friday. God Bless,
Karen Stewart
Wiley & Mary Snell says
Wayne, Melissa & Family:
Our thoughts and prayers go out to you. Praying you find comfort in God’s arms.
Chris and Diana Elwood says
Anita, Melissa and Deb, Chris and I extend our deepest sympathy to you girls and all the family, you will be in our thoughts and prayers. May God’s peace carry you through this hard time.
Chris and Diana Elwood says
Anita, Melissa and Deb,
We are so sorry to hear of your Dad’s passing. Please know you will be in our thoughts and prayers. God Bless.