Robert (Bob) Kenneth Keller

In the early morning hours of December 6, 2021, instead of saying Happy Birthday to our husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle and cousin Robert (Bob) Keller, we said our loving good-byes.

Bob was born on December 6, 1954 in Kalispell, MT to Kenneth & 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 US 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 & 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 & on October 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 1st of two sons. Then in July 1984 they welcomed their second.

Bob was employed for 39 years at Thomas Printing in Kalispell and another 5 years at Top Copy before retiring in 2016.

From the early 70’s 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 & 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 & 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 & track. Bob was so very proud of his boys & all their accomplishments.

Bob was preceded in death by his parents Kenneth & Ruth Keller, Grandparents Herman & Cleta Keller and Earnest & Gurtrude Hankinson and many Aunts and Uncles.

He is survived by the love of his life Jo, his 4 children, Nickolette (David) Henke, Amy Elletson, Jeff Keller and Kenneth (Brandon) Keller, 3 granddaughters, Jona Leigh Miller, Brilyn Joleigh Keller & Rylee AnnMarie, his sister Judy and her husband Terry Fosbery, many nieces & 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, December 10th, 2021, at 2:00 pm at Darlington Cremation and Burial Service, 3408 US Hwy 2 East in Kalispell.

He was the best Grandpa we could ask for!  Love Jona, Brilyn & Rylee