Keith Henry Weagel, age 88, died Sunday, April 5, 2009, at the Northfield Hospital Long Term Care Center in Northfield, Minnesota.

Keith was born October 20, 1920, in South Shore, South Dakota to Harry O. and Alice C. (Holland) Weagel. He was raised on the family farm, attended school in Codington County, and graduated from Waverly (SD) High School in 1939. After working in a munitions factory in California, he entered the US Army Air Corps. In 1943, he married Frances Edwards in Olden, Texas. He attended South Dakota State College, where in 1948, he obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in Educational Agriculture. He taught school in Wallace and Wilmot, South Dakota and Pemberton, Minnesota. While in Wilmot he started the Agricultural Program. He was a special agent with Prudential Insurance Company from 1953 to 1969, and became a Certified Life Underwriter. In 1970, he earned a Master’s degree in Counseling at Mankato State University where he then served as the Student Relations Coordinator until his retirement in 1985. He resided in Mankato form 1964 to 2004. Keith was an avid fisherman, hunter, gardener and woodcarver. He especially liked to raise lilies and had many beautiful plants. Another passion was hosting international college students from many countries. He enjoyed learning about the various cultures and making life long friends.

He is survived by two sons: Steven of Pequot Lakes, Minnesota, Stanley of Portland, Oregon; two daughters: Sandra and husband John Burbank of Mosier, Oregon, Shari and husband Daniel Hagen of Northfield; eight grandchildren: Jacob Burbank and wife Katrina, Jennifer Burbank and fiancee Eric Roch, Shaina Lewis, Mara Weagel, Alicia Weagel, Keith Hagen and wife Summer, Rebekka, Kevin and Bethany Hagen; four great-grandchildren: Hannah and Griffin Dahlberg, Erin and Sebastian Burbank; two brothers: Edgar and wife Elaine of Colorado Springs, Robert and wife Maria of Watertown, South Dakota; one sister, Harriet “Pinky” Chancellor of Waverly, South Dakota; several nieces, nephews, cousins and friends, including special “adopted” son, Patrick Hang and his family.

He was preceded in death by his wife Frances on November 23, 2003, his parents, his brother Donald, and a daughter-in-infancy.

Services will be 2:00 PM Sunday, April 19, 2009, at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church in Northfield with Rev. Craig Ellingboe and Rev. Paul Graham officiating. Music will be provided by Bob Henstein. A reception will follow.

Memorials are preferred to the Keith and Frances Weagel Scholarship Fund at Minnesota State University - Mankato Foundation, the Keith and France Weagel Scholarship Fund at South Dakota State University, American Diabetes Association or Centenary United Methodist Church in Mankato.

Arrangements are with the Benson & Langehough Funeral Home.