Keith Anthony Axtmann

Keith Anthony

Axtmann, the son of Ni-

cholas and Veronica

(Bertsch) Axtmann was

born on November 24,

1950 in Rugby, North

Dakota. He earned his

angel wings at the age of

70 years on Friday, Sep-

tember 3, 2021 at his

home near Balta, North

Dakota.

Keith was raised near

Balta on the farm that

would later be his home

and passion. His educa-

tion began at a country

school, Brazil #2 and he

graduated from Rugby

High School in 1968. He

completed his education

at NDSU in Fargo and in

Bottineau in the agricul-

tural field. He was a dedi-

cated farmer, rancher and

Pioneer Seed salesman,

who assisted many farm-

ers in planning their

planting season. He held

many esteemed honors as

a Knights of Columbus

member and board

member of Our Lady of

Mount Carmel Church.

He served his country for

six years with the Army

National Guard. He

belonged to the Balta

Wildlife Club, the Classic

Car Club and the Rugby

Eagle’s. Keith was an avid

hunter and loved to

snowmobile. He enjoyed

visiting with anyone he

knew. One of his greatest

pleasures was to tease

friends and family when-

ever he got the chance.

Keith called himself “the

Big Dog” and all of us that

knew and loved him let

him claim that fame. He

was a beloved brother,

uncle, cousin and friend

to so many in his earthly

life and will be missed by

so many.

Keith is survived by:

his siblings, Kathy (Ron)

Hove of Fort Myers, Flori-

da, Karen (Haven) Ratcliff

of Englewood, Florida, Joe

(Kathy) Axtmann of Aber-

deen, South Dakota, Frank

Axtmann of Watford City

and Nicki (Gordie) Haman

of Towner; an aunt, Gun-

da Busch of Bismarck;

nieces, nephews; other re-

latives and friends.

He was preceded in

death by: his parents,

Nick and Vernice

Axtmann; sister-in-law,

Colette Axtmann; a niece,

Elizabeth Axtmann and

numerous aunts, uncles

and other relatives.

Mass of Chrisitan buri-

al will be held at 10:30

a.m. Monday, Sept. 13th

at Our Lady of Mount Car-

mel Catholic Church in

Balta with burial and full

military honors in the

church cemetery.

Visitation will be from

5:00 to 7:00 p.m. Sunday

with a rosary, vigil prayer

service and sharing of

memories beginning at

7:00 p.m. at the Anderson

Funeral Home in Rugby.

There will be no reviewal

at the church on Monday.

Arrangements with the

Anderson Funeral Home

of Rugby.

Online registry:

(www.funeralsby

anderson.com)