Keith Bellefeuille

In lieu of flowers, memorial can be sent to the Assumption Catholic Church Stained Glass Window Preservation Fund in Callaway, MN, or the Detroit Lakes United Methodist Church.   Keith Francis Bellefeuille, 86, of Detroit Lakes, MN, unexpectedly passed away on Wednesday, May 15, 2019 at Essentia Health Hospital in Fargo, ND, surrounded by family. Keith was born on March 14, 1933 in White Earth, MN. Keith attended Callaway Public School and graduated from Detroit Lakes High School in 1951 and then immediately enlisted in the United States Air Force. Keith served as a gunnery sergeant training new enlistees in New Mexico where he sustained life-long injuries after an artillery misfire. After recovering, Keith returned to service and was honorably discharged in 1955. Keith met and married his bride Natalie Joy of Detroit Lakes in 1957 at Assumption Catholic Church in Callaway. They had a Christmas Eve wedding, becoming one of Keith’s favorite stories to share throughout their many years together. Keith attended college through the GI Bill at both St. Cloud State University and Minnesota State University - Moorhead graduating with an industrial arts degree. He began his lifelong insurance career with General Adjustment Bureau before moving to State Farm Insurance, retiring in 1995 at age 62. Keith and Natalie raised their three daughters moving throughout the midwest before settling into their dream home on Little Floyd Lake in D.L. It was there that Keith was able to enjoy all of his favorite things to the fullest extent, including “clowning around,” woodworking, hunting, fishing, tending to his yard, antiquing, storytelling, and taking on anyone at a solid game of cribbage. Keith was a devoted servant to both the church and his community. Over the years he was a member of Knights of Columbus, Jaycees, the American Legion, and numerous other civic organizations and groups. Aside from acting as a caretaker for several close friends throughout the years, Keith loved to visit nursing homes, hand out teddy bears, and became passionate about his handmade wooden cross ministry. Keith Bellefeuille’s legacy will forever remind us to love the unlovable, give with your heart, and that God is love. Keith is survived by his bride of 61 years Natalie; his three daughters: Christine (Ted Olson) Bellefeuille of Bayport, Elizabeth (Dave) Harman of Detroit Lakes, and Paula (Gary) Christensen of Cottage Grove; his eight grandchildren: Kevin (Eryn) Harman, Elizabeth (Dave) Foster, Nathan (Casey) Christensen, Annie (David) Granlund, Maggie Olson, Eliot Joy, Elena Christensen, and Samuel Olson; and his five great-grandchildren: Olivia, Brynn and Garrett Harman, Osa Foster, and Josie Christensen. Additional surviving family members include his twin brother Kenneth Bellefeuille, brothers Dick (Marilyn) Bellefeuille and David (Betty) Bellefeuille, sister Danielle (Jim) Dixon, in-laws Della Bellefeuille, Marion Bellefeuille, Jeanette Jahnke, and numerous other family members, nieces, nephews, and friends whom he dearly loved. Keith is preceded in death by his parents, Richard and Alma Plante Bellefeuille; brothers: Warren, Duane, and Dennis; sister Mary Nugent; sister-in-law Lois Bellefeuille; and brother-in-law Bernie Nugent.