June 30, 1954 – December 21, 2025_______________
Mass of Christian Burial for Tom 'Bones' Keller, 71, of Mobridge was held Tuesday, December 30, 2025, at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Mobridge. Burial was at Greenwood Cemetery under the direction of Kesling Funeral Home of Mobridge.
Tom “Bones” Keller, born June 30, 1954, in McLaughlin to Mike and Ida Keller, passed away peacefully surrounded by loved ones on December 21, 2025, at Avera McKennan Hospital in Sioux Falls. He leaves behind a legacy of love, laughter, and steadfast devotion to his family, friends, and community.
In his early years, Bones worked at the JoDee in McLaughlin and later at the Schneider service station. After graduating from McLaughlin High School in 1973, he briefly moved to Oakes, ND to assist his brother-inlaw Bill Scott at James Valley Auto and Implement. Upon returning to McLaughlin, he leased the Corner Bar for a time before he moved on to manage the McLaughlin Legion Club while taking on part-time clerking at local sale barns.
Later, Bones sold his home and moved to Mobridge, where he purchased the Oak Keg Liquor Store. It was there that he met the love of his life, Linda Naasz. They married in 1983 and welcomed their son, Matthew, in 1985. Together, they operated the liquor store, with Linda also working as a driver’s license examiner and Bones clerking sales three days a week at the McLaughlin, Lemmon, and Mobridge livestock auctions.
After 23 years of marriage, Linda passed away in 2006. Following 27 years in the business, Bones sold the liquor store.
In 2010, he accepted the opportunity to lease the American Legion Club in Mobridge. In 2021 he retired, granting him precious time for joyful moments with his grandchildren, family, and friends. He enjoyed catching a few games of gin and dice, as well as the eagerly awaited annual trip to the NFR (National Finals Rodeo) in Las Vegas.
He was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Linda; parents Mike and Ida Keller; brothers Willie, Robert “Bobby,” and Donald “Mose” Keller; sister Sharon Dillman; brothers- in-law Mark, Dan, and Jim Naasz; sister-in-law Sheryl Keller; and mother-in-law Ione (Fred) Bauer.
He is survived by his son Matt (Kylie) Keller and grandchildren Matson, Claire, and Carson, all of Mobridge; stepdaughter Dawn (Scott) Schanzenbach and their children Brittany Schanzenbach (Stephen Fischer) and their children Jaxon and Jovi of Gillette, WY, and Olivia and Ava of Selby; sisters Nancy Scott, Dorthy Daly, and Judy Swanston (Ron Lindner), all of Aberdeen; brothers Jim (Pat) Keller of Federal Way, WA, and Kenny “Fox” Keller of Mobridge; sisters-in-law Becky (Gary) Fischer of Aberdeen, Michelle (Wayne) Sandmeier of Glenham, Tom (Janet) Naasz of Hot Springs, Julie Naasz of Bemidji, MN, Kathy Naasz of Worland, WY, and Georgia Naasz of Billings, MT; many nieces, nephews, and cousins; and numerous friends and colleagues from his bar and livestock careers.