Keith Bugge, 76 of Thief River Falls, MN passed away peacefully on Monday, January 3, 2022 at Sanford Medical Center in Thief River Falls with his loving family by his side.

The service to celebrate Keith's life will be held 11:00 AM Friday, January 14, 2022 at Redeemer Lutheran Church in Thief River Falls, MN with Rev. Mark Helgeland officiating. Visitation will be 5:00 PM until 7:00 PM with a 7:00 PM prayer service on Thursday, January 13, 2022 at Redeemer Lutheran Church and one hour prior to the service. Burial will be at Greenwood Cemetery in Thief River Falls.

Keith Ronald Bugge was born July 28, 1945 in Thief River Falls, MN the son of Earl Berge and June Lila (Lund) Bugge. He was baptized at Redeemer Lutheran Church in Thief River Falls. He attended District 147 Roosevelt rural school in Numedal Township, Pennington County and Lincoln High School in Thief River Falls.

Keith worked for several area farmers, and when he turned 21, Keith started driving milk truck for Willie Jablinske. Later, he began working at Charlie's Tire Service which eventually became ITS. Keith worked as an automobile mechanic for Northern Motors until retirement. In his retirement, he worked for his son, Brian at B & B Auto Recycling for three years.

On October 5, 1970, Keith was united in marriage to Leona Kathleen Vesledahl in Sisseton, SD and the couple made their home in Thief River Falls. To this union three children were born, Lance, Brian and Jessica.

Keith enjoyed the outdoors, fishing, driving around in the country, planting deer food plots, feeding the birds, bird hunting, deer hunting, and prairie dog hunting in South Dakota, North Dakota, and Montana.  He loved going to gun shows and was a licensed firearms dealer. Keith owned/operated Bugge's Guns. He also enjoyed following the Minnesota Twins and Minnesota Wild. Keith loved to give hugs, enjoyed going to his children and grandchildren's events, always had a comical story to share and greeted everybody with a smile. He could fix just about anything. Keith was very proud to teach his children and grandchildren about automobile repair, snowmobile repair, hunting, and gun repair and safety.

He was a member of Redeemer Lutheran Church, Duck's Unlimited, and Thief River Rifle Club.

Survivors include his loving wife of 51 years, Leona; children, Brian (Julie) Bugge and Jessica (Darwin) Klemetson all of Thief River Falls; grandchildren, Brandi, Brittany, Dalton, Lance Jr., Emily, Madison, Katrina, Mariah, Blake, Hunter, Hannah, Haley, Ashton, Jilliana; great-grandchildren, Aaliyah & Gemma, Maesyn, Khloe & Emery; brothers, Neil (Sharon) Bugge, Bruce (Ruth) Bugge and John (Sharon) Bugge; numerous nieces & nephews; Godchildren, Jeremy McQuiston, Michelle Bugge Barry & Aubrey Bergerson; sisters-in-law, Carol (Jim) Chaput, Mary Jane Gall; brother-in-law, Tom (Laurie) Vesledahl; and many other relatives and friends.

He is preceded in death by his parents; and sons, Chad and Lance.

Keith's family would like to thank the nurses and staff at Sanford Medical Center in Thief River Falls for their kind words and wonderful care.