Russell Keller

Minot

Russell Keller, 77, Minot, ND, passed away Tuesday, July 9, 2024, at his residence.

Russell Eugene Keller was born February 28, 1947, the son of John and Hilda (Geinger) Keller Jr., in Harvey, ND. He was raised on a grain/cattle farm south of Harvey graduating from Harvey High School in 1965.

During his earlier years, he helped with the family farming operation and at times helped some of the neighbors during haying and harvest season. During his entire working career, he held at least one or two full-time jobs and at least one or two part-time jobs simultaneously.

In June of 1966, he joined the North Dakota Army National Guard as a combat engineer. He did his basic training at Ft. Bliss, Texas and AIT at Ft. Leonard Wood, Missouri. Following AIT, he returned to the Harvey Guard Unit and spent 10 years with the unit rising to the rank of Sergeant (E-5). He went to the state Office Candidate School program and accepted a commission of 2nd Lieutenant. Russell spent the next eight years as a commander at the detachment and company level. Following this, he was promoted to Field Grade Level and served as support staff at the Engineer BN HQ in Minot, 164 GP HQ in Bismarck, and State HQ for the next 22 years. He retired as the State Transportation Officer as a Lieutenant Colonel (LTC) with 40 years of service.

During his military career, he traveled throughout the U.S. spending time at dozens of active Army Posts and Air Bases, he also spent a short tour at Camp Dakota in Honduras, Central America. Over his 40-year career, he received numerous ribbons and awards, some of the more prominent ones are the Basic Training Ribbon, Armed Forces Reserve Medal 3rd award, Overseas Ribbon, National Defense Ribbon, Army Achievement Medal 8th award, Army Commendation Medal 2nd Award, and the Army Meritorious Service Medal 2nd Award. He was also a life member of the National Guard Association and The North Dakota National Guard Association. He was also a “50-year Gold Card” Life Member of the Nationals Association of Letter Carriers.

While in Harvey, he worked briefly for GN Nelson Grain Elevator and Albrecht Construction. After moving to Minot, he worked briefly for Brekke Farms, two seasons for Jessen Roofing, four years for General Security Services Corp. providing security for the Falkirk Coal Mine in Underwood, ND. Retiring to Menards and Tractor Supply.

In November of 1967, he started his career for the USPS in Harvey as a city clerk/carrier and substitute Rural Carrier. In 1972, he transferred to Minot with the Postal Service and retired after 35 years as a city letter carrier. During this time, he was also The Letter Carriers Union President and Chief Steward for 21 years. This career also gave him the opportunity to serve on several committees and task forces for North Dakota and throughout the region, allowing him to travel throughout the United States.

In 1970, he was hired on to the Harvey Police Department as a City Patrolman (while working at USPS), working the graveyard shift. In 1972 he transferred to Minot with USPS and in 1973, he was hired into the Ward County Law Enforcement moving through the ranks and completed a 29-year Law Enforcement Career serving the last seven years as the Chief of the Police Reserve.

He was once married to Margaret Martin of Drake. Together they were blessed with two girls, Tammy and Sherry. They later divorced.

In June of 1979, he happily married Miriam “Sue” Otto of Velva.

His loving family includes: wife of 45 years, Sue; son, Shawn (Joy) Keller; daughters, Tammy (Dave) Caldwell, Sherry (Rob Carey) Berglof, Rebecca Keller; grandchildren, Brad (Megan) Spencer, Justin Caldwell, Kyrie Caldwell, Brianna Berglof, Mikalyn Berglof, Matthew Berglof, Devan Johnson, Ezra Johnson, Olivia Keller, Gracie Dolley; great-grandchildren, Sophie, Chandler, Parker, Amelia, and Andrew; brothers, Jerry (Margaret) Keller, Jimmy (Jeanne) Keller; sister, Jane (Alan) Swanson; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Helen; father-in-law, Bill Otto; and brother-in-law David Otto.

Funeral: Tuesday, July 16, 2024, at 10:00 a.m. at Congregational United Church of Christ, Minot.

Interment: Tuesday, July 16, 2024, at 3:00 p.m. at ND Veteran’s Cemetery, Mandan, ND

Visitation: Monday from 5 to 7 p.m. at Thompson-Larson Funeral Home, Minot.

The service will be livestreamed for the public to view and can be accessed by going to the Thompson-Larson Funeral home website: www.thompsonlarson.com

Those wishing to sign the online register and share memories may access the online obituaries section at (www.thompsonlarson.com).

Published by The Minot Daily News, July 13, 2024.