Ivan A Keller, 91, Harrisburg Nebraska formerly of Beulah North Dakota died at Kimball Health Services on April 15, 2023. Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, April 29, 2023 at the First English Lutheran Church in Kimball with Randy Bohac officiating. Friends may call at the funeral home on Friday from 1:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. Friends may also visit www.cantrellfh.com to leave condolences and stories for the family. Memorials may be given in Memory of Ivan to the First English Lutheran Church, Kimball Health Services of Kimball Ne or a Hospice program of their Choice. The services for Ivan have been entrusted to the Cantrell Funeral Home.
Ivan was born north of Beulah N.D. on September 5, 1931. He was the oldest child of Walter and Katie (Becker) Keller. He grew up on the family farm and attended Wittenberg Rural School. He met Irma Boeshans, the Love of his life and they were married June 8,1953 at the Zion Lutheran Church in Beulah. Four children were born to this union. Ivan and Irma operated a diversified farm including small grains, Guernsey’s and Ayrshire dairy cattle and Herefords. Ivan was the 3rd generation on the Keller Family Farm, A centennial Farm in North Dakota. He was a self-taught mechanic and worked on a lot of area farmers tractors. He loved music and dancing. One of their favorite things to do was go to the Jam sessions on Sunday Nights. Sundays were spent listening to KBMR Polka Party and the Lawrence Welk show. Ivan served on several boards including Mercer county weed board, Dakota Resource Counsel, Zion Lutheran Church counsel, Mercer County Landowners Association, Mercer county Farm bureau. They were one of the Families to help build Prince of Peace Church. They moved to Banner County in Harrisburg Nebraska in April 2016 where he lived to the time of his death.
Left to mourn him are his children; Jacqueline Baglivio, Bismarck ND, Danny (Deb) Keller, Harrisburg NE, Debra (Dean) Morast and Lori (Glen) Clark, Mandan ND. Siblings; Violet Schnaidt, Salt Lake City UT, Larry (Kathy) Keller, Washburn ND. Grandchildren; Samantha (Jeremy) Houser, Jamie (Casey) Smith, Katie (JR) West, Calab Keller, Nicole (Troy) Gaab, Brendon (Samantha) Morast, Amanda (Mark) Oster; Steven (Cassy) Clark. Great grandchildren Abigail, Dylan, Andie, Austin, Paycen, Lucas, T.J., Cole, Brady, Thomas, Patrick, Remmi, Eric, Max, Olivia and Ella. One brother in law Wilbur Elder, Bismarck ND.
Ivan was preceded in death by Irma in October 2018, his parents, his sister Judy Elder, one son in law Anthony Baglivio, and two brother in laws Ralph Ballensky and Marvin Schnaidt.
Some place in Heaven a waltz is playing, and Dad is guiding Mom around the dance floor. There might even be a tractor to fix or he is waiting for those fresh baked Chocolate Chip Cookies. (we love you Papa Cookie. Give Grandma Cookie a hug from all of us).