Elmer Keller, 97
Elmer Keller passed away Saturday, April 12, 2025, at the Good Samaritan Center in Scotland, S.D. at the age of 97. His funeral was held at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Scotland on Saturday, April 19. Pastor Brian Mosemann officiated. Burial, with military honors, was held at Friedens Reformed Church Cemetery in Tripp, S.D. Casketbearers were Justin Dewald, Derek Hahn, Kalen Maruska, Damien Hahn, Rob Cannon and Matthew Friederich.
Elmer was born on Sunday, July 31, 1927 on a farm in Hutchinson County to Carl and Albina (Stoebner) Keller. He joined his sister Lenora. Later Bertha, Ruben and Melvin joined the family. His parents primarily spoke German. Elmer attended a one room country school. The year he was expected to start school, he came down with pneumonia and had to wait a year, so he and Bertha were classmates. While he was sick, he stayed with his aunt and uncle in town so the doctor could check on him and perform treatments including draining fluid from Elmer’s lungs by sticking a needle through his back. Each time the doctor did this, he would get a quarter. Elmer continued to miss a lot of school helping his dad on the farm. In 1942, Carl’s leg was severely broken and recovery required spending seven months in a Minneapolis hospital. During this time, along with the guidance of a couple of his uncles, Elmer managed the farm.
Elmer was drafted during World War II and completed his basic training. As he was being shipped out, the war ended and he returned home. When the Korean war began, he was called to duty and was stationed in Germany. He served there from 1951 to 1953. While in Germany, his superiors found out that he knew German, so he became an interpreter and driver for an officer who surveyed the damage done by the Americans during World War II. After his honorable discharge, he returned to South Dakota and helped his father farm.
Elmer was married to Carol Jeanette Hahn on Sept. 27, 1953. To this union five daughters were born: Pamela, Mona, Teresa, Susan and Renee. Elmer raised cattle, pigs and farmed. He was a hard, honest worker whose main priority was to provide for his family. Carol passed away on July 31, 1987. Elmer continued to farm until the late 80s. He then worked for Myron and Pat Stoebner and drove school bus for a number of years. In 1993 he moved to Georgia to be close to his daughter, Pam.
On Jan. 20, 1994, Elmer married Geraldine Thornhill. Geraldine passed away Dec. 20, 2020. Elmer then returned to South Dakota.
Elmer is survived by five daughters, 12 grandchildren, 19 great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren: Pamela Rhodes and her children – Tim and Christina (Lily Beth, Eva Cate, and Jake), Matthew and Grace (Charlotte), and Bethany; Mona (Dave) Nelles and her children – Stephanie and Jarod Guthmiller (Paige, Mya and Jase), and Justin Dewald and Chanda Bierema; Teresa Vlasman and her daughter – Jessica and Rob Cannon (Landon); Susan Punt and her children – Collette and Bret Krutsch (Kadyn and Karsyn), Damon, and Nathan and Carrie (Eva and Grayson); Renee (Steve) Maruska and her children – Kalley Hodgins (Ethan, Kami and Addy), Derek and Danielle Hahn (Jase, Mariah, Quinten and Damien) and Kalen Maruska. He is also survived by his sister, Bertha (Victor, deceased) Friederich, many nieces and nephews.
Others dear to his heart include his friend, LaVerne Goeken and his Georgia family, Rick and Urooj Ali (Ayaan and Raiyaan).
He was preceded in death by his wives, Carol and Geraldine; his parents; sister, Lenora (Julius) Dewald; brothers, Ruben and Melvin, and many brothers and sisters-in-law.
