KELLER, Roger F.

Today's News-Herald, Lake Havasu City, Arizona Published Tuesday, July 6, 2010 Roger F. Keller, 65, Bismarck, N.D., lost his hard-fought courageous battle with cancer and was called home June 30, 2010, surrounded by his family. Mass of Christian Burial was July 6, at 10 a.m., at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Bismarck. Visitation was July 5, from 5 p.m. until 8 p.m., with a vigil service at 7 p.m., at the Bismarck Funeral Home. Interment was Tuesday, at 2 p.m., at the North Dakota Veterans Cemetery, Mandan. Roger was born July 18, 1944, to Peter and Monica (Richter) Keller, of Strasburg, N.D., where the family farmed and raised eight children, Roger being the youngest. In 1946, the family moved to Bismarck where he attended St. Mary’s Grade School and St. Mary’s Central High School. Before he graduated in 1962, he was an award-winning wrestler. He went on to college at Bismarck Junior College where he continued on with his passion of wrestling. In 1964, he was the first national champion from North Dakota, and also qualified for the Olympic Trials. While at the trials, Roger injured his back; therefore, he ended his wrestling career. Roger also served in the North Dakota National Guard from 1965-1972. On June 25, 1966, Roger married the love of his life, Charlotte K. Reis at St. Mary’s church. They started their life together in Bismarck while raising four children, Stacy, Tamra, Richard and Kristen. From 1966-2004, Roger was a skilled carpenter and also excelled in sales. In fact, the salesman job took him and his family to Lake Havasu City in 1989. He worked for Frontier Directory, The Berry Company, and Cannon Publishing, all of which were Yellow Page advertising agencies. In 2004, Roger and Charlotte retired and moved back to their roots in Bismarck. This move allowed him to spend time with his grandkids, family and friends, all of which he enjoyed whole-heartedly. In his spare time, he loved woodworking, golfing, playing cards and fishing. Quite simply put, to know him was to love him. Once you heard his infectious laugh and boisterous voice, you knew you found the life of the party. He would not allow people to be unhappy or sad. His personality was to make people laugh and have a good time. Roger had a heart of gold and a will of steel and there is not anything he wouldn’t do for anyone. He is survived by his wife of 44 years, Charlotte; his four children, Stacy (Jessie) Keller, Tamra Keller, Richard (Rebecca) Keller, and Kristen (Kip) Butler, all of which reside in Bismarck; nine grandchildren, Amanda, Kinzey, Alycia, Hanah, Madison, Cade, Savana, Alec and Kolby; his siblings; Mary (Dick) Bruce, Cincinnati, Ohio, Genevive (Les) Heck, Bismarck, William (Mabel) Keller, Bismarck, Jeames (Bonnie) Keller, Bismarck; and countless cousins, nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Jerome “Andy” Keller and George Keller; and a sister, Johanna Fernandez. In lieu of flowers, donations can be sent to St. Alexius Hospice or to: Black Ridge Bank C/O Roger Keller Benefit, 3703 Lockport St., Bismarck, ND 58503 Those wishing to sign the online register book or leave a message of condolence please go to www.bismarckfuneralhome.com.