Robert ‘Bob’ Kenneth Keller, 67
In the early morning hours of Dec. 6, 2021, instead of saying happy birthday to our husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle and cousin Robert “Bob” Keller, we said our loving goodbyes.
Bob was born on Dec. 6, 1954, in Kalispell to Kenneth and Ruth (Hankinson) Keller.
He attended Peterson Elementary where he enjoyed playing Pee- Wee baseball. Then, while attending Kalispell Junior High School, he found the joy of wrestling and later graduated from Flathead High School in 1973.
Bob served in the U.S. Navy as a printmaster aboard the USS Midway from 1975 until he was honorably discharged with a grade of LI2/E5 in 1981. Some of his fondest memories in the service was the time he spent in the Philippines and all the “secret” crab and lobster bakes he held on the ship. Bob was extremely proud of his time in the service and was honored to have spent it aboard the USS Midway.
Soon after returning from home, he met the love of his life, Joanette Elletson, and on Oct. 16, 1982, they married. In doing so, Bob graciously became an instant father of two little girls, Nickolette and Amy. By April 1983 they welcomed the first of two sons. Then in July 1984 they welcomed their second.
Bob was employed for 39 years at Thomas Printing in Kalispell and another five years at Top Copy before retiring in 2016.
From the early ‘70s through 1996 he was an avid race car driver. He raced Bombers, C-Stock and Nostalgia. Bob spent many nights working on his cars with his sidekicks and together they won many trophies.
He enjoyed cooking for his family, making many delicious meals. With this love of cooking spawned a sibling rivalry with his sister Judy. Together they entered their pies in the Fair, resulting in his proudest blue ribbon-winning cherry pie.
Bob truly enjoyed anything outdoors, which created a pure love of camping. He and his wife Jo spent many long weekends camping with family and friends creating lasting memories to be cherished forever.
He also enjoyed watching his sons play baseball, basketball, football and track. Bob was so very proud of his boys and all their accomplishments.
Bob was preceded in death by his parents Kenneth and Ruth Keller, grandparents Herman and Cleta Keller and Earnest and Gurtrude Hankinson, and many aunts and uncles.
He is survived by the love of his life Jo, his four children, Nickolette (David) Henke, Amy Elletson, Jeff Keller and Kenneth (Brandon) Keller, three granddaughters, Jona Leigh Miller, Brilyn Joleigh Keller and Rylee AnnMarie, his sister Judy and her husband Terry Fosbery, many nieces and nephews, and all his cherished friends.
The family is being cared for by Darlington Funeral Home. Cremation will take place and a memorial service will be held on Friday, Dec. 10, at 2 p.m. at Darlington Cremation and Burial Service, 3408 U.S. Hwy. 2 East in Kalispell.
“He was the best Grandpa we could ask for!” Love, Jona, Brilyn and Rylee