KEITH HARLAN DAVISON

April 2, 1980 - January 15, 2025

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On April 2, 1980, Mark and Ida (Eness) Davison brought their newest arrival home to their farm outside of Norwalk, Wisconsin. Their third child, a son, Keith Harlan, quickly showed them that his personality may have been more in line with being born on April Fool’s Day. Quick-witted and clever from an early age, his mom hated to let him follow his brother and sister off to school because he was so pleasant and entertaining to have around. Being the younger brother, he was made tough by the occasional BB gun war and there was nothing you couldn’t dare him to do. He was eager to be old enough to drive a tractor on their farm, and when his dad obliged at long last, his prowess with four-wheeled things began to show itself and grow.

Keith was a mechanical genius, willing to try to find the problem on any piece of equipment that found its way under his scrutiny. His passion for anything International led to many friendships welded together over the years by a shared appreciation for all things IH. He worked for Beck Farms, where he was a Jack-of-all-trades, master of most. In addition to keeping the grain dryers running smoothly, climbing the bins, staying on top of the seed corn deliveries, and making sure crops went in and came off without a hitch, he also kept his own shop full of implements needing his care.

Keith and his ‘Hon,’ Jacqui (Mlsna), said their vows on June 19, 2004 at Burr Wesleyan Church. This may have been the last time he was clean shaven. After 20 years of marriage, he said they still were “a pretty good pair”. Keith’s personal motto – “no sense in rushing” – made his wife be patient to start their family. When their firstborn, Ira, began to talk, Keith asked him if he wanted to call him Pa or Dad – to which Ira responded, “Pa-Pa-Pa-Pa.” As Keith and Jacqui grew their family to include Dane, Henry, and Cora, there were more little voices to echo ‘Pa’ and more little hands to help turn wrenches. Pa made sure his brood developed a healthy appreciation for all things seasoned with a bit of rust. They each had their own lawn mower to practice driving with at the ripe old age of five. He crafted a piston water bottle holder for a particular girl and he attached blocks of wood with a zip tie to the gas pedal as deemed necessary for little legs. As his boys grew, deer hunting became a source of great stories and bonding – from harvesting his own record-breaking nontypical buck and getting to share in the excitement with his sons, to poring over trail camera photos together and plotting their own hunting adventures as they grew old enough to join Pa in the woods. It was hard to tell who was more elated after each of their first bucks were bagged, the boys or their Pa. 

Keith Harlan Davison was so many things to so many people: A son who could suss out the problem in your brand new truck before the dealership could. A brother who would bale hay and keep tractors running. A husband who would shake his head and then dedicate yet another chunk of lawn to a flower bed. A Pa who would make pancakes on Sunday mornings, build campfires on Sunday nights, and snuggle you up in a blanket fort on the couch. A friend who would be there at a moment’s notice to help build a haymow floor for a wedding. A mentor who would gently teach you the ins and outs of tractors and deer hunting. He was the guy you called to brag about your kid’s first big buck, fully expecting him to tease you for being a bad shot, while simultaneously congratulating your child and making them feel important. He was the guy you tracked down to work on a stubborn piece of equipment with one broken part, and while he was at it, he tuned it up. Young and old would seek out his advice on broken tractors, broken hearts, and broken spirits. He would give honest, straight-shooting answers, and became a human barometer for people in his circle. He was a loyal and patient man. Also a quiet, gentle, steadfast, loving man who made sure not to draw attention to his helping hands or his giving heart.

A self-proclaimed ‘simple guy’, he was happy with life’s simple pleasures: Pulling his ‘Unnatural International’ 966 at local tractor pulls. Sitting in a deer blind with his sons. Relaxing on the porch swing next to his wife and his wild daughter enjoying the summer sunset. One would have thought growing up on a farm, he would have horses in his blood, but his love of animals was limited to those he could fill a freezer with. In the summer you may have wondered if his shirts were missing buttons, but rest assured he was just airing out his chest, baring it to the sun. His classic sleeveless flannel shirt look resulted in some interesting tan lines and a welding burn or two. His teenage years were filled with antics with the Cabin Crew – sofas mounted on skis, some questionable experiments with driving trucks in snow, and, above all, memories made and friendships cemented. 

In the wee hours of the morning on January 15, 2025, surrounded by close friends and beloved family, amid laughter and tears, and followed by a fireworks show befitting him, Keith headed out on his final tractor ride. We will continue to find those itty-bitty pieces of paper rolled up and we will think of him and his dexterity that could fix a tractor or dress a Barbie doll. When one of his clever children responds with a witty retort that brings to mind his deadpan humor, we will smile and think, “You learned from the best.” We will hear the thunder boom in the summer and know it is him hitting the throttle for a full pull. When we see the brilliant sunset, we will know he’s throwing flames. We will aim to make decisions based on his solid advice: “No sense in rushing”.  But most of all we will continue to live with purpose, help others when needed, and give with all our hearts. 

Keith will be missed by many, but especially his wife, Jacqui, and their children: Ira, Dane, Henry, and Cora. His dad, Mark, mom, Ida (Gene von Ruden); brother, Matthew (B.J.); and sister, (Katrina). He was a much-loved son-in-law to Jim Mlsna and brother-in-law to Stacy, Peter (Lynzie), Thomas (Abby), and Tony (Taylor); as well as an uncle, cousin, nephew, and dear friend to so very many special people. 

Memorial services will be held on Saturday, January 25th, at 11:00 a.m. at Burr Wesleyan Church, Hillsboro, Wisconsin. Pastor Jason Kirkpatrick will be officiating. Family and friends are invited to attend the visitation from 9 a.m. until the time of service at the church. Following the service, a meal and time of remembrance will be held at the Hillsboro Community Center. The Picha Funeral Home of Hillsboro is assisting the family with arrangements. In lieu of flowers, please send gifts to Burr Wesleyan Church/Keith & Jacqui Davison Benefit, S1728 Cty. Rd V, PO Box 388, Hillsboro, WI 54634.