Russell A. Keen, age 61, of Aberdeen, South Dakota, died Sunday, October 11, 2009 in a car accident near Mina, South Dakota. Russ was born October 14, 1947 in Monroe, WI to Roland G. and Evelyn V. (Matzke) Keen. Russ grew up in Juda, WI and graduated from Juda High School in 1965. He attended the University of Wisconsin-Madison for two years. Then he farmed with his uncle Don Keen for several years in the Juda area. He later moved to Brookings, SD, where he attended South Dakota State University, graduating with a bachelors degree in agriculture journalism. In 1988, Russ moved to Aberdeen, S.D., to work as a staff reporter with the Aberdeen American News.

Russell is survived by Marilyn (Jack) Michel, Wenatchee, WA; Carol (Dennis) Hasse, Juda, WI; Dennis Keen (Virginia Tomlinson), Spokane, WA; Mary Keen (Dave Antonneau), Northfield, MN; many nieces and nephews; close trusted friends, Tom Gross, Aberdeen, SD, Chet and Donna Newman, Juda, WI. He was preceded in death by his parents.

A memorial service is planned for Friday, October 16, 2009 at Faith United Methodist Church in Aberdeen, SD. A time with family and friends will be held from 12:30 to 3:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 20, at Juda Community Center, with burial following at Mount Vernon Cemetery, Juda, WI.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be given to Faith United Methodist Church, Aberdeen, SD.