Edward Valentine Keller

Edward V. Keller, 89, of Aberdeen, passed away Tuesday, April 14, 2015, at Avera St. Luke's Hospital in Aberdeen.

Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 a.m., Friday, April 24, 2015, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 409 3rd Avenue SE, Aberdeen, with Father Shane D. Stevens, Celebrant.

Burial, with military rites, will take place at Sacred Heart Cemetery.

Schriver's Memorial Mortuary & Crematory, 414 5th Avenue NW, Aberdeen, is in charge of arrangements.

Visitation will be 5-7 p.m., Thursday, April 23, 2015, at the mortuary, with a Liturgical Wake Service being held at 7:00 p.m. Visitation continues one hour prior to Mass at church on Friday.

Edward V. Keller was born November 29, 1925, in Hague, ND, to William and Elizabeth (Keller) Keller. This is the area where he grew up and attended grade school and church. In 1942 Edward and his family moved to Aberdeen, SD, where he was employed at Hub Recreation Bowling Alley, working after school hours. He then took jobs at K.O. Lee and Loel Lust Chevrolet Company.

Edward was inducted into the United States Navy January 19, 1943. He served in the Pacific Theater as a 1st class Seaman aboard the USS General C.G. Morton (AP-138) during World War II. In 1946, following his discharge, he returned to Aberdeen, where he was again employed at Loel Lust Chevrolet Co., and remained employed with them for 60 years.

Edward was united in marriage to Mary A. Denney June 5, 1948. Their union was blessed with one son and five daughters: Judy, Mary, Edward, Cheryl, Cindy, and Laurie. Ed was active in the community and belonged to the Loel Lust Chevrolet softball team for several years. He and his wife took pleasure in traveling and playing cards. They especially loved dancing and belonged to the Belles and Beaux Square Dancing Club. Ed also enjoyed reading, hunting, car races, bowling, horse races, basketball, football, and softball. His family and friends will most remember him for his ability to strike up a conversation with anyone, his stories, and his jokes.

Blessed to have shared Ed's life is his wife of nearly 67 years, Mary Keller of Aberdeen; six children: Judy Sauter of San Antonio, TX, Mary E. Keller of Webster, WI, Edward J. (Millie) Keller of Aberdeen, Cheryl Pietz of Aberdeen, Cindy (Fred) Hoffman of Long Lake, SD, and Laurie (Joey) Harrell of Ormond Beach, FL; 11 grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; and one great great-grandchild.

Ed is preceded in death by his parents, William and Elizabeth Keller; two brothers, Jim Keller and Bill Keller; two sisters, Mary Dabbert and Monica Palmer; and two sons-in-law, Andy Sauter and Chuck Pietz.