Keith Skrondahl, 70
On Friday, March 22, 2024, Keith Douglas Skrondahl, loving husband, father and grandfather, quietly passed away, with his family by his side, at the Avera Dougherty Hospice Home in Sioux Falls, S.D., at the age of 70.
Keith Douglas Skrondahl was born July 17, 1953 in Sioux Falls to Orlin and Ellen (Payne) Skrondahl. Keith was raised and received his education in Sioux Falls, graduating from Lincoln High School in 1971. Keith continued his education at Augustana College before transferring to USD’s Business School in Vermillion. There he proudly graduated with a degree in Business Administration in 1975. After graduation he accepted an internal auditor position with the State of South Dakota’s Department of Legislative Audit.
On June 12, 1976, Keith was united in marriage with Audrey Gail Lien at Zion Lutheran Church in rural Volin. They made Pierre their home for 44 years where they were blessed to have raised their children, Katie and Kent.
Keith spent five years working for Legislative Audit, achieving his CPA certificate, before accepting a position as Chief Auditor at BankWest in 1980. At BankWest Keith developed and headed their Internal Audit Department. He furthered his studies and became a Certified Internal Auditor. He was highly regarded by the banking community and was a dedicated and proud employee. He showed respect to his co-workers, and was a friend to all who knew him. Everyone at the bank enjoyed seeing and talking with Keith. He would often be seen walking through the bank with is clipboard, something they liked to tease him about. Keith proudly retired In April of 2020, after working there for 40 years. Following his retirement, Keith and Audrey made their home in Sioux Falls to be closer to their family but leaving behind countless memories and dear friends in Pierre.
Keith lived his life with integrity, honesty, loyalty and with humility. Above all, Keith loved the Lord, and loved his family. To say that Keith was a proud grandpa would be an understatement! His greatest joy was seeing his grandchildren. They always knew grandpa would be waiting in his big chair to hug and hold them. A loving husband, father, grandfather, uncle and friend, Keith will be deeply missed.
Outside of spending time with his family, Keith enjoyed gathering with his Bankwest friends after work, having coffee with his friends at Perkins, watching and cheering on the San Francisco Giants and America’s team the Dallas Cowboys.
Keith was a member of Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, The Institute of Internal Auditors and the Elks Club in Pierre.
Grateful for having shared his life are his wife, Audrey Skrondahl, Sioux Falls; two children, Katie Melius and her husband, Rick, of Brandon, and Kent Skrondahl and his wife, Sara, of Brookings; grandchildren, Lydia, Isaiah and Hannah Melius and Natalie, Isabelle and Edwin Skrondahl; nephew, Shaun Skrondahl, and daughters Trinity, Taleah, Ariana, and Alyvia, of Sioux Falls; four sisters-in-law, Janet Melick and her husband, Jerry of Yankton, Jane Maurer and her husband, Tom, of Madison, Linda Shepherd, Altoona, Iowa, and Lisa Lien of Omaha, Neb.; many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
It was a great comfort to Keith to know he would be welcomed into heaven by his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, his dear grandson, Luke Alan Melius; his parents, Orlin and Ellen Skrondahl; his sister, Sylvia Skrondahl; and his two brothers-in-law, Gregg Lien and Ed Shepherd.
His funeral service will begin at 11 a.m. Thursday, March 28, 2024 at Gloria Dei Lutheran Church in Sioux Falls with his family present to greet friends for visitation beginning at 10 a.m. In lieu of flowers please consider making a donation to Healing Hope Ministries in Alcester (a ministry that helps families find hope and healing after the loss of a child) or Gloria Dei Lutheran Church. George Boom Funeral Home & On-Site Crematory, Sioux Falls, is entrusted with arrangements.
