Keith Anthony Axtmann
Nov. 24, 1950-Sept. 3, 2021
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 burial
will be held at 10:30 a.m.
Monday, Sept. 13th at
Our Lady of Mount Car-
mel Catholic Church in
Balta with burial in the
church cemetery. Father
Franklin Miller, Cele-
brant.
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.
Military Honors ac-
corded by: North Dakota
Military Funeral Honors
Detail & The Clarence Lar-
son American Legion Post
#23 Rugby, ND Honor
and Color Guard
Organist/Vocal
leader/Cantor: Corrine
Mack Vocalists: Balta
Church Choir
Readers: Joe Axtmann,
Dawn Hepper & Nichole
Eischen
Gift Bearers: Elena
Hepper & Morgan Oppen
Casket Bearers: Glenn
Axtman, Jeremy
Axtmann, Lenny Haman,
Noah Forschen, Brian
Axtman, Zachary Hepper,
Frank Mack and Chad
Hove
Honorary Bearers:
Knights of Columbus, All
family, and friends
Arrangements with the
Anderson Funeral Home
of Rugby. Online registry:
www.funeralsby
anderson.com
Anderson Funeral
Homes of Rugby and
Towner