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Al Keller was big Cobblers fan


Alfred “Al” Keller, 85, of Rapid City, died Friday, Jan. 31, 2020.
Al was born in Trail City on March 4, 1934, to Martin and Katherine (Buechler) Keller. He had two brothers, Theofil “T.J.” and Valentine “Valley,” and two sisters, Severina “Sev” Kraft and Mary Thares.
Alfred worked on the family farm until he was drafted into the Army and spent one year in the Korean War. His services totaled six years with four years spent with the National Guard. He was honorably discharged in 1962 and returned to the family farm.
In 1957, he met Vivien Anderson at a country dance, and they were married on June 4, 1958.
In 1963, the family moved to Wisconsin where Alfred worked for L.E. Myers. Alfred began working for Brink Construction in 1960 and lived in several different places throughout his career. In 1970, the family settled in Rapid City. This is where Al retired from Brinks Construction in 1996.
Al was an avid high school wrestling fan and never missed the boy’s meets or tournaments. Every other Friday night you could find him at his designated parking spot cheering on the Cobbler football team. Al had a distinct dislike for the color blue – although he never admitted it – we know it’s because the “other team” wore blue.
Alfred was preceded in death by his parents, Martin and Katherine; brothers, Theofil and Valentine; sister, Severina; brothers-in-law, Gordon Anderson, Harvey Anderson, Lawrence Anderson, Dale Norgard and Frank Salwei.
He is survived by his wife, Vivien; his four children, Debbie (Mark) Balding of Hill City, Dean Keller of Phoenix, Ariz., Dwight (Deb) Keller of Rapid City, and Denice (Scott) Bouska of Stuart, Neb.; sister, Mary Thares; 12 grandchildren, Amanda, Brooke, Amber, Jessica, Nicole, Ashley, Kellie, Kayla, Lucas, Michelle, Nathan and Parker; and 25 great-grandchildren.
Christian Funeral Mass was held on Friday, Feb. 7, 2020, at St. Therese Catholic Church in Rapid City.
Burial was at Black Hills National Cemetery, rural Sturgis, will full military honors rendered by Rushmore VFW Post 1273 and the South Dakota National Guard.

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