R. Keith Granrud

R. Keith Granrud, 73, died at his home in Ryegate, Wednesday, Nov. 10, 2010.

He was born Aug. 4, 1937 in Powers Lake, N.D., to E. Julian Granrud and Ruby Granrud. Keith graduated from Columbus High School in 1955 and attended Minot State Teachers College in North Dakota for three years, then transferred to Ellendale Industrial College in Ellendale, N. D., for a year.

Keith first came to the Flathead Valley in 1956. He began working for the Flathead National Forest at Glacier View Ranger District in the engineering group. In 1960 he transferred to the Big Prairie Ranger District in the Bob Marshall Wilderness where he worked seasonally on trails and as a station guard. It was during this time that Keith received the nickname “the Danaher Kid” from his time in the Danaher Creek country southeast of Big Prairie.

Keith left the Forest Service from February 1961 to February 1963 when he enlisted in the U.S. Army. He was attached to the 3rd Armored Division, 73rd Artillery, stationed in Germany. He was a Specialist 4, artillery surveyor.

Back in the Flathead, Keith returned to Big Prairie, where in 1973 he became a wilderness ranger. In the early 1980s, Keith became a National Forest Law Enforcement Officer after attending the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center in Glenco, Ga. He continued in law enforcement until his retirement from the Forest Service in June of 2000. Keith’s entire U.S. Forest Service career was spent on the Flathead National Forest. He was both well liked and respected. His friends and co-workers knew him as a man of honor and integrity with an exemplary work ethic.

In 1975 Keith married Christina Koegel from New York. They had two children, Philip and Jennifer. They were divorced in 1991. He was preceded in death by his parents E. Julian and Ruby Granrudl; his brother Barry Granrud and his brother-in-law Duane Bly.

He is survived by his two children, Philip and Jennifer; his ex-wife Christina; his two sisters, Judy Bly of Lignite, North Dakota and Sandra Liskowich of Calgary, Alberta; his brother-in-law Steve Liskowich; and his niece and nephews, Sharlene Bly and her husband Mark Gokavi, Shawn Bly, Kevin Liskowich, Trevor Liskowich and his wife Sharon, and other extended family.

A memorial service for Keith will be held Saturday, Dec. 4, 2010 at 11 a.m. at Bethlehem Lutheran Church at 603 Main Street in Kalispell. Keith’s ashes will be interred in North Dakota at a later date.

Because of these difficult economic times, the family suggests that in lieu of flowers donations be given to your favorite charity.