Keith I. Frost

Keith Irvin Frost was born on November 28, 1919 in Spirit Lake to Irvin R. and Marion LaDoux Frost. Keith graduated from Spirit Lake High School in 1937 and attended Iowa State University 1938-39. Keith was united in marriage to Audrey V. Rucker on October 19, 1941. Keith farmed in the Spirit Lake area after their marriage until 1942 when he enlisted in the Army Air Corps and was sent to Midland Army Air Field in Midland, TX. After the war in 1945, he was discharged and returned to the Spirit Lake area to continue farming. In 1951, he was recalled into the service and spent the next 22 years in the United States Air Force serving his country. During Keith's military service, he was stationed in Texas, Kansas, Georgia, California, Missouri, Michigan, Louisiana, North Dakota and overseas in Africa, Vietnam, Guam and England. Keith flew many different aircraft including the AT-11, B-18, B-34, B-25, B-17, B-24, B-29, KC-97, B-47, B-52, KC-135, C-47 and many missions in the UH-1 (Huey Chopper) in Vietnam. Keith graduated from the Air Force War College. He received the Bronze Star for his service during Vietnam. He also received the Air Force Commendation Medal and the Meritorious Service Medal from the President of the United States. In addition, he received the South Vietnam Army Meritorious Service Medal from the Republic of South Vietnam. In 1973, Keith retired from the Air Force at the rank of Lt. Colonel and he and Audrey returned to the Spirit Lake area where they have since resided. Keith was a member of the United Methodist Church of Spirit Lake and was active in the Methodist Church or the Chaplain program on base at each duty station he was assigned. Keith and Audrey received meritorious service awards from the Chief of Chaplains of the USAF from many of the duty stations. Keith was a member of the VFW, Golden Kiwanis and the American Legion. Keith passed away on March 7, 2008 at Hilltop Care Center in Spirit Lake at eighty-eight years of age. Keith is survived by his wife, Audrey, two sons, Kermit and wife, Belia, of California and Gary and wife, Tonya, of Missouri; daughter-in-law, Cyndi, of Illinois; six grandchildren and three great-grandchildren; sister, Margery Lea Pedersen and husband, Blaine, of Terril; sister-in-law, Vivian Frost (Elton) of Spirit Lake; many cousins, nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, one brother, Elton and one son, Bruce.