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NORBERT B. KELLER

Norbert B. Keller Sr., 91
March 2,1927-July 2, 2018

   Our father Norbert Benedict Keller Sr. peacefully passed away July 2, 2018 at the Walla Walla Veterans Home in Walla Walla, Washington surrounded by his family. Dad was 91 years old and had lived a full lustrous life, independent until age 90.
   He was born March 2, 1927 in Glen Ullin, North Dakota to Carl and Elizabeth (Sebastian) Keller. His early years were spent around Glen Ullin and later Butte, Montana when his father worked in the Butte mines. The Butte area was always considered home even during the years spent working in Washington and California. Dad served his country in World War II and the Korean War. At age 17, he entered WWII as a paratrooper with the 508th Parachute Infantry Regiment. He was very proud of this. Moreover, because he spoke fluent German he proved invaluable as an intelligence officer. During the Korean War his detail and organizational skills were put to use in water purification and logistics. He had many interesting stories of his military experiences and loved nothing more than to share the good ones.
   While stationed at Fort Lewis, Washington dad met our mother, Claudia Marie Duval. They married Sept. 19, 1948 and shared many wonderful years together until mom passed away January 2012.
   Dad and mom spent their honeymoon climbing the Rockies overlooking Butte, Montana and it was during this visit that Mom also fell in love with Butte and would soon consider the area as home. Norbert and Claudia were members of the Holy Spirit Catholic Church for many years.
   After serving his country, dad apprenticed in the trades and became a very talented floor layer. In 1972, he joined Job Corps as foreman-instructor, establishing their Floor Covering Program. He spent many years teaching disadvantaged youth those skills. Dad was a proud member of the Painters and Allied Trades. When he retired in 1990, he and mom returned to Montana.
    Dad was a romantic and had the soul of an artist. He loved designing and creating beautiful things in his spare time. He also enjoyed writing and was a prolific reader.
  Dad was preceded in death by his parents; siblings, Joseph Sarsfield and Linda (Morris) Hastie; his son, Norbert Keller Jr.; and beautiful wife Claudia, who was the love of his life and he the love of hers.
   He is survived by his sons, Carl Keller of Butte and Robin (Cheryl) Keller of Sacramento, California and daughters Claudia (Greg) Holmberg and Crystal (Jack) Nichols, both of Kennewick, Washington. He is also survived by numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He will be greatly missed by his family.
   Cremation has taken place and a family memorial will take place at a later date. Funeral arrangements: Mountain View Funeral Chapel, 1551 Dalles Military Road, Walla Walla, Washington 99662.

]The Montana Standard, Butte, Silver Bow, MT, 1 Aug 2018, Wed, Page A3]

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