Dee was born December 20, 1933, in Terraville, SD, to Margery Addison Orr and Leo Russell Orr. When Dee was 9, Leo moved the family to Idaho for work. When Leo died in a deer hunting accident, Margery moved Dee and her five brothers back to Lead where Dee attended school, graduating in 1951. In November 1952, she married Jake Keller of Mobridge, SD. They lived in Sturgis raising their five boys until Jake's death in 1991. In May 1973, at age 39, Dee graduated from Black Hills State with a BS in Education and taught elementary school until she retired. Dee enjoyed an extremely active life and her gift of nurturing love and faith expressed itself in all she did.

Dee lived her life with gusto. Her art, patience, kindness, and passion for life influenced many of her students, family, friends, and others. Not one to boast about her creative skills; she did not consider herself special. But others considered her above and beyond ordinary. Whether sharing the gifts of her paintings, the sound of her piano playing, the telling of whimsical stories, or the helping at her local church and in her community, Dee wholeheartedly shared her talents. A member of the Black Hills Art Association, she practiced her oil painting at the Sturgis and Spearfish Art Centers; submitting her pieces in local Art shows and receiving awards for several of them. Dee loved storytelling and was a member of the Black Hills Storytellers Association. For over 16 years, she was active in fund raising and leadership of the Sturgis Hospital Auxiliary, serving over the years as president, vice president, and blood drive coordinator. She volunteered at the local Elementary School. Dee was also an active member of the Altar Society at St Francis of Assisi Catholic Church and over the years, taught CCD, lectured, was a greeter, and headed a funeral luncheon group. For personal enjoyment, Dee played the piano, painted, and traveled. Above all, however, Dee loved her family: sons, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, brothers, and extended family members. She loved us all and we loved her.

Dee Ora Lee Keller, 84, Sturgis, died Sunday, June 3, 2018, at Seton Medical Center in Austin, TX.

Dee answered to many names including Mom, Nanny, Wuz, Aunt Suzie, Ora Lee, Dee, and Mrs. Keller. Loving and remembering her are her 5 sons and wives, Terry & Elaine Keller of Austin, TX, Gary & Mary Lou Keller of Eagle, CO, Dean Keller of Sturgis, SD, Keith & Karin Keller of Louisville, CO, and Kevin & Kelly Keller of Larose, LA; 15 grandchildren, Tonia (& Heath Miller), Tyler (& Amanda), Shane, Patrick, Jacob (& Chantel), Mathew, Mikaela, Brenan, Taylor, Daillen, McKenna, Dawson, Autumn, Chelcee, and Branden; 3 great-grandchildren, Etnie, Jack, and Arianna; 5 brothers and wives, Veldon & Janet Orr, Duane & Lupe Orr, Dean & Mary Orr, Doyle Orr, and Larry & Kathleen Orr; and her many nephews, nieces, friends, and the numerous others she touched, taught and influenced.

Dee was preceded in death by her parents, Margery & Leo; and her husband, Jake.

Funeral services for Dee Ora Lee Keller will be held at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in Sturgis, SD, at 10:00 a.m. Monday, June 25, 2018, with Father Timothy Castor officiating. Burial will follow at Black Hills National Cemetery. Vigil will be Sunday, June 24, at 6:00 p.m. at Kinkade Funeral Chapel, preceded by visitation from 4-6:00 p.m.

Donations in her memory can be made to the Margery L. Orr Memorial Scholarship Fund, of which she was Vice President, at MLOScholarship.org. The Fund provides scholarships to academically talented, financially needy graduates of Lead-Deadwood High School.

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