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Keith Crago

Keith Crago


Dates

June 11, 1940 - February 28, 2023

Obituary

Keith Crago, 82, of Mitchell, SD, passed away Tuesday, February 28, 2023, at his home peacefully with his two dogs, Kookie and Ziggy, by his side. Funeral services will be 10:30 AM Monday, March 6, at Resurrection Lutheran Church in Mitchell. Burial will be in Graceland Cemetery in Mitchell. Visitation will be Sunday from 1-3:00 PM at Resurrection Lutheran. Arrangements by Bittner Funeral Chapel.

Keith Virgil “Clutch” Crago was born on June 11, 1940 in Corsica, SD to Lyle & Adeline (Schnabel) Crago, where he attended the Baker 41 rural school. He worked on the family farm and also spent many summers working at his aunt and uncle’s farm in Platte. Keith enlisted in the National Guard in 1959.  After the National Guard, he moved to Mitchell and started his employment at Dick’s Body Shop.  On May 1, 1964, he married VivaDell “Vi” Herr. Into this union was born one daughter, Victoria in 1964, and one son Kyle in 1967.

His love for cars led him to his lifelong career as an autobody technician and tow truck driver at Dick’s Body Shop. Keith and Vi bought the business from Dick Miller in 1983 and Keith continued to work there until February 2023, when he retired at age 82.  Keith was still applying his legendary skills as semi wrecker operator until his retirement. 

He was a member of the James Valley Drift Skippers, OutKast Car Club, South Dakota Automotive Association, and the Moose Lodge. He enjoyed many years at Thunder Valley Drag Strip with his family where he obtained his nickname “Clutch”.  Keith also enjoyed snowmobiling, pontooning on Lake Mitchell and Okoboji, gardening, four-wheeling and most of all restoring his old cars. He was very proud of all the awards he received at the car shows he attended.  Keith also enjoyed visiting with his many friends over a cold beer.

Grateful for having shared in his life is his daughter, Victoria Gaede of Palm Springs, CA; son, Kyle Crago and wife Melisa of Mitchell; seven grandchildren: Jason Kinsella, Nikole (Jean Paul) Anderson, Sydney and Camille Gaede, Tate, Megan and Kyla Crago; four great-grandchildren: Dakota, River, JP, and Nieko; two step-grandchildren: Graham and Franny; brothers: Jerry (Nickie) Crago, Lyle Jr. (Sherry) Crago, Dennis (Janice) Crago, Doug (Lori) Crago, Les (Arla) Crago; sisters: Marjorie Crago, Elaine (Russell) Skinner, and Nancy Crago; sister-in-law, Sharon Crago; and brother-in-law, Randolph Herr and wife Betty of Chicago, IL; and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.

He was preceded in death by his wife, VivaDell “Vi” Crago; parents, Lyle and Adeline Crago; brother, Roger Crago; brother-in-law, Ronald Herr; and mother and father-in-law, Viola and Rieny Herr.


Visitation(s)

Date
Sunday, March 5, 2023
Time
1:00 PM - 3:00 PM
Location
Resurrection Lutheran Church
4013 N Main St
Mitchell, SD 57301

Service

Date
Monday, March 6, 2023
Time
10:30 AM
Location
Resurrection Lutheran Church
4013 N Main St
Mitchell, SD 57301

Cemetery

Graceland Cemetery
Mitchell, SD


Posted by Randy & Shirlee Burmeister on March 7, 2023
Keith was a fun loving guy, loved to talk with him. R.I.P.
Posted by Al Sambo on March 7, 2023
so sorry to hear another great has passed!! This guy could be anyone's friend.
Posted by Doug Papendick on March 7, 2023
So sorry to hear of Keith’s passing. My deepest sympathies.
Posted by Glen Ellerton on March 6, 2023
wow! one good guy, helped me out of a couple tuff spots. sat with him at a few car shows ---- he will be missed
Posted by Brandy Schieldge on March 5, 2023
Sorry for whole families n friends’ loss of this wonderful man. Jeffrey Crago has mention some stories about him. Rest in Heaven.
Posted by Eddie Fischer on March 5, 2023
Kyle and Family, my deepest sympathies, I really enjoyed working with your dad at the shop and on the truck accidents over the years. He was a great man who I really admired.
Posted by Kevin Kouf on March 5, 2023
Was a neighbor and friend with Keith for 32 years. Will miss him a great deal. My condolences to Kyle and the whole family.
Posted by Vicky hohn on March 5, 2023
So sorry for your loss sending prayers
Posted by Brent Schmitt on March 5, 2023
Keith was was a great man, he made a point to talk where ever I saw him. When we remodeled his house we sure had a great time . My condolences to the family.
Posted by Leslie Ohlrogge on March 4, 2023
Deepest Sympathy and prayers to you all during this sad time. Keith was quite a guy, loved doing business with this motorhead and wrecker pro! He will be missed at Doren's in Forestburg! The crew all loved him there! Love to You Vickie...
Posted by Deb Walz on March 4, 2023
My very deepest sympathy. Prayers and comfort to the family . My husband Gordy always spoke highly of him.
Posted by Rhonda Herr-Kerr on March 3, 2023
So sorry I can’t be there! He was a good man! And he was good to me! Sending my love!
Posted by Nila Martinek on March 3, 2023
Keith will be missed by so many people, but I can smile thinking he and Vi are together forever...
Deepest sympathies to your family
Posted by Joe & Jan Schlimgen on March 3, 2023
Sorry for your loss.
Posted by Vicky (krumm) Glart on March 3, 2023
I’m so sorry to hear is Keith’s passing. I Will miss him at the Farmer Parade every year.
Posted by Dennis & Cheryl Kunkel on March 3, 2023
Sorry to hear about the loss of your father Keith, he loved to visit with everyone , very well known man , Our thoughts & prayers to you all .
Posted by Donna Lang on March 3, 2023
My sympathy for Keith's family and friends. He was an amazing man. If he couldn't get a vehicle unstuck, nobody could.
Posted by Don Heidinger Jr. on March 3, 2023
met Keith back in th 60’s when I pump gas for his father in law at Reiennies DX. May he an Vi Rest In Peace
Posted by Stewart & Jolynn (Jo) Hanson on March 3, 2023
Nothing we can say will ease your pain, but we are sorry for the lose of someone so special to you.
Posted by Linda (Polzin) Soyland on March 3, 2023
So many memories of our trips to Mitchell growing up. Spending time with Keith and Vi and family. Great memories, and great people. Prayers to you all.
Posted by Pam Filter-Trosin on March 3, 2023
So sorry for your loss he was always fun loving prayers and thought with the family
Posted by Pam Filter-Trosin on March 3, 2023
So sorry for your loss he was always fun loving prayers and thought with the family
Posted by Michael Brunsen on March 3, 2023
Keith taught me auto body 47years ago great friend and mentor will miss him dearly RIP my friend
Posted by Ronald Bick on March 2, 2023
My condolences to Keith’s passing.He’ll be missed at many of the car shows he went to.
Posted by Loretta Winthers on March 2, 2023
So sorry to hear this. Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you. I have known Keith since my teenage years! Great guy!🙏🏻
Posted by Jim and Glenda Hohn on March 2, 2023
Deepest wishes of sympathy to Keith family, known him since the 60's, such a great person! Prayers for family, joy and peace during this sad time!!
Posted by Steve & Karen Scarborough on March 2, 2023
Our sympathy to Keith's family. We enjoyed visiting with Keith when we were at Mitchell Lake. He was such a great guy and will be missed.
Posted by Rusty and Joyce Weinberg on March 2, 2023
So so sorry for your loss. He will be greatly missed by anyone who got to know him
Posted by Rex and Jan Balcom on March 2, 2023
Condolences to the Crago family. We had known Keith and Go almost 60 years. We are going to miss these special friends. Prayers to the family.
Posted by Larry & Cheryl Titze on March 2, 2023
Our thoughts and prayers are with Keith’s family. We rode on many snowmobile rides with Keith and James Valley Driftskippers back in the day!
Posted by Ron Peterson on March 2, 2023
Was my friend from the old east Duce days to the present. Was a pro at the wrecker. RIP Keith C ya later
Posted by Terry & Mary Nutter on March 2, 2023
Our condolences to all of Keith’s families and friends. He was a hard worker with a great attitude that liked to have fun. He will be missed!
Posted by Denny Kaemingk on March 2, 2023
Thoughts and prayers for the family. Such great guy. Always a positive attitude and a can do spirit.
Posted by Charlie and Darlene Bailey on March 2, 2023
Sorry to hear the passing of Keith Rest in peace my friend
Posted by Frieda bollock on March 2, 2023
My sincere condolences to the crago families. Met Keith in the early 60's when Keith and George lived in the 8x48 trailer house..fond memories!
Posted by Dan & Lorna Sonne on March 2, 2023
We are so sorry to hear of Keith's passing. He was definitely a Great guy! He will be missed. Sincere sympathy to the Crago families.
Posted by Jay Kinsella on March 2, 2023
Thank you for being a great grandfather to my two kids. You will be missed Keith.
Posted by Jim and Donna Murtha. on March 2, 2023
Cargo’s so sorry for your loss
Posted by Jo Ann Moeller on March 2, 2023
Smpathy to the Cragoe family in your loss we will all miss a great person and great friend he was. Will miss your seat at the moose
Posted by Curt and Carol Nesbitt on March 2, 2023
Our deepest sympathies to the Crago family on the loss of your dad/grandpa.
Posted by Bowen family, on March 2, 2023
You sure tried to help our dad! Thank you!
Posted by Vicky hohn on March 2, 2023
Sorry for your loss sending prayers
Posted by LeeAnn Hicks on March 2, 2023
So sorry to hear! Prayers to the family.
Posted by Paul and Barb Wilson on March 2, 2023
Sorry to hear about Keiths passing. He was a great person. You have our deepest sympathy.
Posted by Jake and Bobbie Prickett on March 2, 2023
Keith is going to be missed. Such a great guy. Prayers and hugs
Posted by Greg and Marilyn Bollock on March 1, 2023
So sorry to here of your loss prayers for you Kyle and Melissa Tate Megan and Kylia
Posted by Denny and Pat Dicus on March 1, 2023
RIP, Keith. What a heavenly reunion it will be for Keith and Vi. Condolences to the family.
Posted by Jeff Dougherty on March 1, 2023
My best friends dad growing up. Lived right across the street. Always great to me and everyone. He taught me many things and always shared his wisdom and abilities with anyone. Never met a more humble man who was really a genius at his craft with cars. I am so thankful that he was a major part of my life growing up.
Posted by Gail Denne on March 1, 2023
So sad to hear of Keith’s passing, he will be missed by many always ready to chat when I seen him. Car shows or at Dicks Mike was always stopping at Dicks to find out about one of his car now he can bug your dad in heaven.
Posted by Steve Bren on March 1, 2023
Going to miss our hotrod talks and that smile of his, truly one in a million. Glad I got to spend what time I did with him, my heartfelt condolences to all the family
Posted by Dale Wilson on March 1, 2023
My condolences to the family. Keith was a great guy and will be greatly missed.
Posted by Charlie & Wanda Kobes on March 1, 2023
What a very sad loss of a great man !! Keith is going to be missed by everyone that was blessed to know him !! Big Hugs and Prayers to all of you in this very sad time !!
Posted by Robert and Deb Tilton on March 1, 2023
Keith always had a smile and a hello. Sympathy and condolences to his family and friends.
Posted by Ernie & Deb Hohn on March 1, 2023
Our sympathies to the Crago families.
Keith was an icon to the city of Mitchell.
Posted by Gary and Mary Stadlman on March 1, 2023
Keith’s family, we are sending our sincere condolences with the loss of Keith. We just saw him at County Fair last week st lunchtime. He was quite a guy. We pray that the love of family and friends bring you comfort at this difficult time. God bless and Rest In Peace, Keith.
Posted by William. Goldammer on March 1, 2023
New Keith for many years used to go to his garage when I was eight years old I bought a 409 Chevrolet with 2. 4 barrel carburetors on it engine when I was in high school 1976 good old boy !!

Just a good old boy
Posted by Charolette Peterson on March 1, 2023
Sorry for your loss. Prayers for family. He will be missed.
Posted by Jackie Christiansen on March 1, 2023
What a legacy. Super nice guy. Deepest Condolences to all of Keith's family. Dicks won't be the same without him. Rest in peace Keith
Posted by Jeff Harris on March 1, 2023
Sure going to miss Keith he was such a hard worker.and a cool old school hot rod man
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