Obituary - LeRoy E. Keller

LeRoy E. Keller, 89, passed away due to natural causes Sunday, July 23, 2023, at Northern Montana Hospital.

A vigil service will be held at 7:00 p.m. Friday, August 4, 2023, at St. Jude Thaddeus Catholic Church. Funeral Mass will begin at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, August 5, 2023, also at St. Jude Thaddeus Catholic Church. A reception will be held at the St. Jude Parish Center, and burial will follow that in the Cottonwood Cemetery.

Holland and Bonine Funeral Home has been entrusted with services and arrangements.

Please visit LeRoy's online memorial page to send a card or leave a message of condolence for his family at https://www.hollandbonine.com.

LeRoy was born October 23, 1933, in Havre to William and Juletta (Garding) Keller. He was raised north of Havre, in Cottonwood, where his family farmed, attending Cottonwood School through the eighth grade, then graduated from Havre High School in 1951. At the tender age of 8, LeRoy began working for area farmers and continued until he was drafted in the U.S. Army in 1953. Upon his discharge, LeRoy returned home and worked for J.P. Verploegen for a few years. He then began purchasing his own land, and while he farmed he also worked for Farmers Union Oil through the late '60s and early '70s. After he left Farmers Union Oil, he farmed full-time until his death.

LeRoy was a kind and generous man who put God, family, and his community first in his life. He was an active member of St. Jude Catholic Church and the Knights of Columbus, where he enjoyed cooking for all their events. He was known by many for passing on his pinochle skills, transporting Havre Central cheerleaders and attending as many sporting events as possible. LeRoy served as a Hill County Commissioner for a term, served on numerous boards, was an avid supporter of Hill County 4-H, Montana State University-Northern, and the Northern Ag Research Center. He was a prolific donor to the Red Cross Blood Drives. At last count, he had donated approximately 51 gallons of blood. LeRoy acted as a second dad to his younger siblings, family barber to his brothers, and "Uncle Roy" to many nieces and nephews as they learned how to farm in the summers, instilling in them a strong work ethic.

He was preceded in death by his parents, William and Juletta Keller; siblings Carol, Ronald, Delbert, Neil, and Clarence "Fritz" Keller; sister-in-law, Nancy Keller; and several nieces and nephews.

LeRoy is survived by his siblings Arlene Keller of Havre, Audrey Marston of Maine, Gerald (Shirley) Keller of Turner, Laura (Jerry) Kinsella of Havre, Mike (Paulette) Keller of Lloyd, Vic Keller of Billings and Dennis (Gayle) Keller, Kenny Keller, Danny (Launa) Keller, and Lorraine (Steve) Don, all of Havre; and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.