Mass of Christian Burial for Thelma Keller, age 82, of Mobridge will be at 10:30 AM, Friday, July 15, 2011 at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Mobridge. Fr. Bill Hamak and Deacon Paul Keller will be officiating. Burial will be at Greenwood Cemetery under the direction of Kesling Funeral Home of Mobridge. Visitation will be from 1 to 5 PM Thursday at the funeral home with a celebration of life service at 7:30 PM at the church. Thelma went to be with the Lord on July 9, 2011.

Thelma Elenor (Schott) Keller was born on March 22, 1929 to Fred and Martha (Fischer) Schott at their home in rural McLaughlin. She attended Maple Leaf Elementary School and McLaughlin High School, graduating in 1947. On November 16, 1947 Thelma married John P. Keller in McLaughlin. Following their marriage they began their farming and ranching careers in rural McLaughlin. They worked side by side on their 2UK Ranch until John's death in 1995. After John's death she continued to operate the farm and ranch until 2003 when she moved into Mobridge and continued to live her vibrant life.

Thelma enjoyed playing hymns and love songs on the piano by ear, dancing with John at Mahto, gardening on the farm, sewing, stopping at the sale barn, and helping others. She also enjoyed taking scenic drives on the South Dakota countryside to look at the buttes, cattle, crops and sunsets and stopping at open houses. Thelma was well known for her fried chicken and for the fact that she could have a feast prepared at anytime on the ranch. She loved having family gatherings where everyone could enjoy a meal that she had prepared. She had many special friends which she would spend time with and also a friend to many in the Wakpala and Kenel communities. Thelma's family was her life and she will be greatly missed by them.

She was a member of St. Bernard's Catholic Church in McLaughlin and later St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Mobridge.

Grateful for sharing Thelma's life are her daughters, Bonnie (Roger) Thorstenson, Selby and Connie (John Contos) Garrett, Cheyenne, WY; son, John J. Keller, Mobridge; grandchildren, Tyler (Alexis) Garrett, Cheyenne, WY, Shane Thorstenson, Watertown, Kea Thorstenson, London, England, Nick (Melissa) Kampa, Aberdeen, Ben Keller, Aberdeen, and Jacey Keller, Mobridge; great grandchildren, Jackson and Genevieve Garrett, Zayden Keller, Kingston, Landon, and Thayne Kampa; sisters, Erna Dietrich, Mobridge and Linda Everidge, Lemmon; brother, Harlan Schott, Vermillion; sisters-in-law, OraLee Keller, Sturgis, Sheila Keller, Lead and Betty Schott, Montana; brother-in-law, Tony "Bucky" (Myra) Keller, Spearfish and many nieces, nephews and cousins.

She is preceded in death by her parents, husband, John P. Keller, and brothers, Raymond and Vernon Schott.

Casketbearers are Tyler Garrett, Alexis Garrett, Shane Thorstenson, Kea Thorstenson, Ben Keller, Jacey Keller, and Nick Kampa.

Honorary bearers are her great grandchildren, Jackson and Genevieve Garrett, Zayden Keller, Kingston, Landon, and Thayne Kampa, and all Thelma's WONDERFUL friends, family and neighbors.

Ushers will be Fox Keller, Bones Keller and Jim Schlekaway.
Special music by Lynette Thompson, Diana Thompson and Pat Russell.
Scripture readers will be Roger Thorstenson and Marilyn Schlekeway.
Organists will be Margaret Stadel and Marge Mertz.