Keith Paul Perlich

Keith Perlich, 85, passed away at his home in Circle Pines, Minnesota on January 9, 2025. He was born Keith Paul Rustad on January 30, 1939, to Ethel Arnzen. As a young boy, he was adopted by Floyd and Anne (Wozniak) Perlich, of Minneapolis, Minnesota. 

He was a 1957 graduate of Vocational High School in Minneapolis. He proudly served his country in the US Navy. After returning home from service he married Betty Goodlund, and they had two sons. They divorced, and he later married Ruth (Dusek) Dunbar of Circle Pines, where they continued to make their home. 

Keith was an electrician by trade and a member of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, (IBEW). In 2001, without any political experience, he threw his hat into the ring to run for mayor of Circle Pines. His wife told him, "You better be careful, you just might win." He served two terms, 2002-2005, and was instrumental in acquiring land and a new building for the Centennial Lakes Police Department. Another highlight of his life was at age 75, it was discovered he had three half-sisters whom he got to meet, and of which a beautiful and loving relationship evolved. 

Keith loved the outdoors, hunting, fishing, and ice fishing at Ballard's Resort on Lake of the Woods. He enjoyed gardening, growing beautiful flowers and super-sized tomatoes with his secret ingredient, llama poop. Canning spicy pickles, feeding the birds, his van, playing cards, the Minions, the Grinch, and the state fair. He loved to travel on casino trips, locally and to Laughlin, Nevada; on cruises, and he once found himself zip-lining at age 75 in Cost-Rica. And donuts. But, most of all, he loved helping out his family. 

Missing Keith on earth is his wife Ruth of 32 years; son, John Perlich, Bemidji, Minnesota; step-son, Greggory Dunbar, Apple Valley, Minnesota; step-daughters, Patricia (Marty) Stephan, Phillips, Wisconsin; and Deborah (John) Bant, Arbor Vitae, Wisconsin; grand-daughters, Caiden Henry-Perlich and Kelyn Henry-Perlich; step-grandsons, Kevin (Kylie) Zeitner, and James (Julia) Bant; step-granddaughters, Kristi (Seth Fehr) Bant, Katelyn Bant, Monica (Doug Shaw) Dunbar, and Marie (Kevin) Olson; step-great-grandchildren, Rylee Marie, Natalee Marie, Beau Rallen and Russell Kane, with one more on the way. 

Half-sisters, Gayle Garven, Sarasota, Florida; Sandra (Richard) Miicke, Elma, Washington; Diane Fahey, Minneapolis, Minnesota; brother and sisters-in-law, Frank and Carol Dusek, and Vivian Simpson, all of Phillips, Wisconsin. 

Greeting Keith in Heaven are his mother, his adoptive parents, son, James Perlich, adopted-sister, Teresa O'dell, brother, Brett Rustad, half-brothers-in-law, David Garven, and Tom Fahey, and brothers-in-law, Darwin Conner, and Edwin Simpson. 

Celebration of Life 10:00 am Thursday, May 15, 2025, at Our Savior's Lutheran Church, 9185 Lexington Ave. N., Circle Pines. Visitation at the church from 9:00 - 10:00 am Thursday, May 15. 

Interment Ft. Snelling National Cemetery.