1926
Jack
2014
Jack Keller
October 1, 1926 — October 7, 2014
Jack D. Keller, 88, of rural Evansville died Tuesday, October 7, 2014 at his residence.
He was born October 1, 1926 in Wiota, IA to Richard and Helen (McPike) Keller. He grew up in southwest Iowa and graduated from Clarinda High School. He enlisted in the U.S. Army on December 18, 1944 and served in Europe. He was honorably discharged on November 1, 1946. Jack then attended South Dakota State University in Brookings where he earned a degree in civil engineering. He was united in marriage to Mary Ann Warner on August 6, 1971. Jack worked for the U.S. Department of Transportation as an engineer. His job took him to the states of Washington, Montana, Minnesota and New York. He also worked on projects in Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. He was most proud of the Stevens Canyon Project near Mt. Rainier, WA. His career with the Department of Transportation spanned 30 years. After retiring, he and Mary owned and operated a grocery store in New York, the Junction Café in Bedford, IA and the Carlos Bakery in Carlos, MN. In 2001, Jack retired for real!!
Jack was member of the VFW and American Legion. He loved to watch basketball and football and enjoyed reading. When his health permitted, he enjoyed playing cards in Evansville and Millerville. He especially enjoyed spending time with his family and grandchildren.
Jack is survived by his wife Mary Ann Keller of Evansville; his children: Duane (Gladys) Keller of Hemet, CA, Diane (Tom) Blanchard of Detroit Lakes, MN, Sandy (John) Ikeda of Circle Pines, MN, Kathy Tate of Solon Springs, WI, Anita (Keith) Phelps of Valapariso, IN and Cassandra (Mark) Blowers of Evansville, MN; 14 grandchildren; 3 great-grandchildren; and five sisters: Arlene King of New Market, IA, Jeanie Graham of College Springs, IA, Mary Combs of New Market, IA, Lolita (Gary) Spring of New Market, IA and Judy Sparks of Benton, KY. He was preceded in death by his parents; his step-father, Vance McPike; two sisters: Betty Clayton and Ruth Keller; a brother, Jim Keller, and five brothers-in-law: Roy Graham, Alvin Clayton, Ross King, Bob Leighton and Lyle Combs and sister-in-law Anita Keller.
There will be a Celebration of Life service at a later date.
He was born October 1, 1926 in Wiota, IA to Richard and Helen (McPike) Keller. He grew up in southwest Iowa and graduated from Clarinda High School. He enlisted in the U.S. Army on December 18, 1944 and served in Europe. He was honorably discharged on November 1, 1946. Jack then attended South Dakota State University in Brookings where he earned a degree in civil engineering. He was united in marriage to Mary Ann Warner on August 6, 1971. Jack worked for the U.S. Department of Transportation as an engineer. His job took him to the states of Washington, Montana, Minnesota and New York. He also worked on projects in Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. He was most proud of the Stevens Canyon Project near Mt. Rainier, WA. His career with the Department of Transportation spanned 30 years. After retiring, he and Mary owned and operated a grocery store in New York, the Junction Café in Bedford, IA and the Carlos Bakery in Carlos, MN. In 2001, Jack retired for real!!
Jack was member of the VFW and American Legion. He loved to watch basketball and football and enjoyed reading. When his health permitted, he enjoyed playing cards in Evansville and Millerville. He especially enjoyed spending time with his family and grandchildren.
Jack is survived by his wife Mary Ann Keller of Evansville; his children: Duane (Gladys) Keller of Hemet, CA, Diane (Tom) Blanchard of Detroit Lakes, MN, Sandy (John) Ikeda of Circle Pines, MN, Kathy Tate of Solon Springs, WI, Anita (Keith) Phelps of Valapariso, IN and Cassandra (Mark) Blowers of Evansville, MN; 14 grandchildren; 3 great-grandchildren; and five sisters: Arlene King of New Market, IA, Jeanie Graham of College Springs, IA, Mary Combs of New Market, IA, Lolita (Gary) Spring of New Market, IA and Judy Sparks of Benton, KY. He was preceded in death by his parents; his step-father, Vance McPike; two sisters: Betty Clayton and Ruth Keller; a brother, Jim Keller, and five brothers-in-law: Roy Graham, Alvin Clayton, Ross King, Bob Leighton and Lyle Combs and sister-in-law Anita Keller.
There will be a Celebration of Life service at a later date.
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