Keith DeFries, 97, of Springfield

Visitation will be from 1-2 pm with a memorial service at 2 PM, Saturday, March 2, 2024 at Peters Funeral Chapel in Springfield. Interment will be at the Bon Homme Cemetery, rural Springfield, with military honors.

Keith Allen DeFries was born April 22, 1926 to Albert and Nellie (Bardwell) DeFries in Springfield, SD. He died Sunday, February 25, 2024 at the Good Samaritan Society in Scotland.

Keith attended grade school at Independent #2 and Monument Country School. He attended Springfield High School and graduated in 1944. After graduation, he joined the Navy where he served in the Sea Bees for two years before returning to Bon Homme County where he farmed.

Keith married Betty Ann DeGroot in August of 1950 and started his family of two sons: Darrel (Sandy) of Tyndall and Danny (Debra) of Clear Lake and one daughter, Sheri (Frank) DeRoos of Rozet, WY. Also there were seven grandchildren, 18 great grandchildren and two great, great grandchildren.

In 1970, he retired from farming and moved to Springfield where he worked at various jobs. He then worked at Cimpl's in Yankton from 1974 to 1988 when he retired. Keith belonged to the American Legion and VFW and was a volunteer fireman for 10 years. He was the caretaker of the Bon Homme Cemetery for 33 years.

Keith will be remembered for his love of woodworking, gardening, traveling, rug making and quilting.

Keith was preceded in death by his wife Betty; his parents, Albert and Nellie; his sister Alva; and half-sister Aletta.