Keith W. Dorsey

Graveside Service of Remembrance with Full Military Honors for Keith W. Dorsey, 81, longtime Ziebach, SD Rancher were held, August 18, 2026 at the Last Stop Cemetery, 14 miles west of Isabel, SD on SD Highway 20, on the Dorsey Ranch. Pastor Dave Johnston and Keith's nephew, Richie Hutchinson officiated.  

Following the Graveside Service, a time of fellowship and lunch took place at the Isabel Community Center in Isabel, SD.

In lieu of flowers, if you so desire, Memorials have been established to the Isabel American Legion Post, the Isabel Fire Department and the Glad Valley Fire Department.

Keith William Dorsey was born on March 4, 1945 to Jim and Olive Dorsey in Gordon, Nebraska.  He grew up on a ranch in the sandhills of Nebraska with 2 siblings, Ronald and Helen.  He started ranching at a very young age and received his pilot’s license as a teenager which he continued to have for over 65 years- something he was very proud of.  He graduated from Gordon High School in 1963.  While attending college in Omaha Nebraska he was drafted into the Army.  He served in Vietnam from 1966-1967.  After receiving an honorable discharge, he returned home to the Nebraska Sandhills Ranch.  In his words he decided to come to South Dakota and run the family ranch at Glad Valley and look for somebody “ranchy” to marry.  Keith’s version is he was hauling hay through Isabel with his stack mover where he saw a lady standing on the side of the road with her little red suitcase.  Mary threw her suitcase on the load of hay, jumped in the truck and the rest is history.  He married Mary Waddell in 1980 and together they raised 3 kids, JimBob, Danae and Deon.  Many wonderful memories were made on the ranch working, rodeoing and never missing their kids many school activities.  Keith really enjoyed chasing coyotes with his hounds.  There are many stories to tell about those wild adventures along with flying adventures. A few highlights that Keith treasured is getting selected to go on the National Honor Flight in October 2022. He also had the opportunity to fly various business jets alongside his dear friend Joe Kohnen which always contained very memorable experiences.  Keith was BLESSED.  He was a busy, man doing what he loved up until his death- ranching in partnership with his son Deon, flying, spending time with family and grandkids he dearly loved.  Keith was honored to receive the Quilt of Valor, due to his military service, specially made by a dear friend and classmate, Yvonne Hollenbeck.

Keith served his community on the Isabel Rodeo Association as a board member President, various positions on the Glad Valley Fire Department, Soil Conservation Board and American Legion in Isabel and Lemmon, SD. His last business adventure was going into partnership with his daughter-in-law Krystal called K & K Chickens.

As a final tribute to his remarkable life, in the early morning on August 10th, Keith took one last departure from his beloved ranch runway. He was a man of faith which he instilled in his children daily.  He has left a big void in the family that will never be filled.  Survived by his wife Mary, sons JimBob (Emily) granddaughter Cayenne, Deon (Krystal), daughter Danae and grandsons Taggen, TK, and Tash, sister Helen (Dan) Legett and many nieces and nephews. Joe (Lori) Kohnen, and Lisa (Robert) Martin. Keith was preceded in death by parents Jim and Olive and brother Ronald Dorsey.

Condolences to the Dorsey family can be sent through our website at www.evansonjensenfuneralhome.com.