Keith McLean

On August 4, 2009, Keith McLean, 84, Bismarck, proceeded on. Services will be held at 1:00 pm Tuesday at Trinity Lutheran Church, Bismarck, with Rev. Steve Sathre officiating. Burial will be held in the North Dakota Veteran’s Cemetery, Mandan. Visitation will be held from 5:00 pm until 7:00 pm Monday at Eastgate Funeral Service, Bismarck, where a prayer service will begin at 7:00 pm. Visitation will continue one hour prior to the service at the church. Keith was born November 15, 1924, in Walsh County, the son of J. Harvey and Elizabeth Samson McLean. Keith graduated from Fargo Central High School in 1942. After high school Keith attended North Dakota Agricultural College for one year. Thereafter, Keith served in the United States Army from 1943 to 1945 fighting in the Battle of the Bulge. After his World War II service Keith returned to college. He graduated with a degree in civil engineering from NDAC in 1948. Keith was employed all of his working life with the North Dakota Highway Department now known as the Department of Transportation. He served as Assistant Chief Engineer and Bridge Engineer. He was involved in building both Interstate Highway Systems. Very early in his career he was involved in the redesign of Old Highway 10 into Medora. In 1957, he married his wife, Hazel. He was an immediate father of four to children, Shirley, Mylan, Lavern and Janice. Keith and Hazel lived all of their married years in Bismarck. Their home was always open to family and friends. They loved to travel and took many trips including rafting down the Colorado River, retracing Lewis and Clark’s trail, an Alaskan cruise and many other Western trips. Keith was active in the Bismarck community. He treasured his long-time membership in his Lions Club, Toastmasters, the Elks and the Westerners. He served on the City of Bismarck Planning Commission. Keith was very interested in Western history, especially North Dakota history. He was passionate about Lewis and Clark, Fort Lincoln, his 1967 Pontiac LeMans, Medora and Fleischkuechle from A and B Pizza. Most importantly, he loved his family. He described himself as the ultimate rubbernecker. He loved to go for a ride and show anyone who was interested his favorite spots in Bismarck/Mandan, the blockhouses at Fort Lincoln, the Mandan earth lodges, the eagle at Kiwanis Park and whatever was under construction anywhere. Keith is survived by his wife, Hazel, Bismarck, ND; four children, Shirley Bird, Sweet Home, OR, Mylan Gail McLean, Eagan, MN, Lavern McLean, Lincoln, ND, and Janice Chuck Arneson, Forest Lake, MN; three brothers, Hugh McLean, Ocala, FL, Jay Bette McLean, Madison, WI, Ron Mona McLean, Fargo, ND; a brother-in-law, Pat McLane, Meridian, ID; eight grandchildren, 15 great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews. Keith was preceded in death by his parents, his second mother, Dora McLean, sister, Enid McLane, and sister-in-law, Beverly McLean.

Keith McLean

November 15, 1924 - August 4, 2009