Leo W. Keller, 97, of Oakley, died Sunday, October 4, 2020 at Logan County Senior Living, Oakley. He was born on August 1, 1923, near Mingo, KS to David & Sophia (Bush) Keller. He was the 2nd of the 8 children: Rebecca, Les, Ben, Ruthie, Esther, Daniel and Mary. He was raised on a family farm, milking cows, feeding cows and doing regular farm work. He attended grade school at the Mingo school until the 8th grade, when he was required to quit, due to the health of his dad.
On April 4, 1944, he married Wanda Nell Curry, in Oakley, KS. To this union of 32 years, 4 children were born: Leotta Ranell, Shirley Darnell, Fontella Jean, and William Jr. “J.R.”
In January of 1944, Leo was drafted into the Army and served the 76th Infantry Division, 417 Regiment 3rd Army and was sent to Germany to fight in WWII. He was involved in the Battle of the Bulge and was under fire by the Germans and shared cover under a bridge with General Patton. His division crossed the Rhine River, fighting toward Frankfort and Berlin. He was in Kimnitsch, Germany when the war was declared over. He was headed to Japan, but the war ended when the U.S. dropped the bomb on Hiroshima. He was sent back to the US. on the Queen Mary and arrived back in the states on December 9, 1945. Leo received an Honorable Discharge for service to his country.
After returning from the war, he and Wanda purchased a farm west of Page City. Leo partnered with his brothers, Les and Ben, and operated as the Keller Brothers in the farming and cattle industries. In 1956, they bought the Oakley Livestock Commission Co. and Leo owned and operated it until 1973. During this time Leo also operated Keller Cattle Co. and continued to be a bonded livestock dealer, buying cattle for several different ranchers and big feedlots until 1985.
In 1967, Leo acquired the headquarters ranch of Foster Lumber Co.’s farmstead, north of Bretton. Leo raised cows and calves for 44 years and sold his last herd in 2011. His business adventures also led him to invest in a land development on the slope of Colorado, in 1971, and it has grown into a living community. Among Leo’s greatest pleasures were coyote hunting with a pack of dogs, pheasant and quail hunting, and any card games that included gambling.
Leo was baptized and became a member of the Oakley United Methodist Church. He was an active member of the Oakley Country Club, Oakley Ranger Riders, the VFW and the Hoxie Elks. He served as an officer and President of the Kansas Livestock Auction Association and was a member of the National Livestock Association.
On November 2, 1977, he married Elizabeth “Betty” Hills, from Colby, KS. They had a home in Loghill Village, CO, while maintain a home in Oakley. Betty’s children, Craig and Anita Hills, Doug and Junelle Hills and Rhonda and Gary Holstein joined the Keller family. Leo had 8 grandchildren, 10 great grandchildren and 3 great-great grandchildren. Betty’s family added another 6 grandchildren and 11 great grandchildren.
Preceding Leo in death were his parents; wives, Wanda and Betty, son J.R. sons-in-law, Jim Heskett, Dick Carman and David Fant; grandson, Dr. Layne Lunsway, grandson-in-law, Rick Patrick; step-son, Doug Hills and his siblings, Rebecca, Les, Ben, Ruthie, Daniel and Mary.
He will be missed by his family and friends. Survivors include 3 daughters, Ranell (Lile) Lunsway, of Manhattan, KS, Darnel (Mel) Holopirek, of Maize, KS, and Foni Fant, of Plainville, KS; his sister, Esther Bedore, of Colby; grandchildren, Lance (Denise) Lunsway, of Atlanta, GA, Linc (Summer) Lunsway, of Manhattan, KS, Terra (Alan) Zerr, of Stillwater, OK, Jemelle Ebers, of Wichita, KS, Lander (Kary) Holopirek, of Wamego, KS, Thonda Patrick, of Hays, KS and Ty (Heather) Jennings, of Montrose, CO; great grandchildren, Alexis, Breanna, Caitlin, Janessa, Jordan, Steele, Shaye, Stratten, Delayney and Shaylee; great-great grandchildren, Amelia, Amiya and Amari and all the families merged by his marriage to Betty.
Private family burial will take place in the Oakley City Cemetery. Memorials are suggested to the Buffalo Bill Convention Center, in Oakley, KS and may be sent in care of Baalmann Mortuary, PO Box 204, Oakley, KS 67701. For information or condolences visit www.baalmannmortuary.com