Keith E. Swenson Sr., 69 of Rose Creek, Minnesota, died at his home on Friday, Dec. 1, 2017.

Keith Edwin Swenson was born on May 20, 1948, in Austin, Minnesota to Edwin and Gladys (Nielsen) Swenson. He married Alice Monson on June 17, 1966, at St. Olaf Lutheran Church in Austin, and together they raised three children, Keith Jr., James and Deanette.

Keith was an apiarist (beekeeper) for 50 years and had his own auto body business. He loved to spend time with family, fishing and learning about history. He enjoyed getting to see new things, going up north and to Belgium with Alice, going to the state fair and House on the Rock. Over the years he had many pets and raised a variety of animals including mink, chinchillas, peacocks, ducks and chickens. He was a compassionate man who loved his family and had a love of nature, especially trees and animals.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Edwin and Gladys Swenson; and two half-brothers, Leland Swenson and Daryl Nielsen.

Keith is survived by his wife, Alice Swenson, Rose Creek; sons, Keith (Laura) Swenson Jr., Zumbrota, Minnesota, and James (Jill) Swenson, Taopi, Minnesota; daughter, Deanette Swenson, Rose Creek; eight grandchildren, Holly, Marcy, JJ, Chelsey, Mitch, Kara, Jessie and Kadin; five great grandchildren, William, Oliver, Rachael, Sebastian and Audrey; siblings, Gary (Pat) Swenson, Rose Creek, Alan (Gwen) Swenson, Taopi, Dean (Carmine) Swenson, Riceville, Iowa, Elaine (Wayne) Easter, Stewartville, Minnesota, Wayne (Peggy) Swenson, Wykoff, Minnesota, Dale (Dawn) Swenson, West Concord, Minnesota, and Kay Barnhart, Rose Creek; nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 6, 2017, at Crane Community Chapel with the Rev. Brian Thiel officiating. Interment will be at Lansing Cemetery. Visitation will be at the church one hour before the service.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to the family.