Leland Howard Keller

August 30, 1934 - October 14, 2018

Leland Howard Keller, age 84, of Glendive, Montana, passed away on Sunday morning of October 14, 2018 at the McCone County Health Center in Circle, Montana. A memorial service will be held at 1:00 P.M. on Monday, October 22, 2018 at the Church of Christ in Glendive with Leslie Williams officiating. Silha Funeral Home of Glendive has been entrusted with the arrangements. Leland was born on August 30, 1934 in Poplar, Montana to Edgar and Rosa (Hartland) Keller. Leland was the oldest of their 6 children. He spent his childhood on the family farm near Mona, Montana where he had many adventures with his dog, Mike. He attended high school at Fairview, Montana, staying with his grandmother Mable Keller during the week and returning to the farm on the weekends and summers. After high school graduation Leland attended Radville Christian College in Canada where he met Twyla Joan Williams. They were married on Sept 6, 1954 and went on to have 5 sons. They lived in Fairview where their first son Howard was born. Leland and Twyla moved to Glasgow, Montana where he worked as a mechanic and a salesman of vehicles and farm implements. Larry, Jim and Mark were all born in Glasgow. Leland then moved his family to Glendive to take a job at Matthew Motors for a few years before going to work for Harold Wester selling and repairing appliances at Glendive Electric. Leland and Twyla were blessed with their 5th son, Eldon. Leland and Twyla eventually bought the business from Harold and renamed it Glendive Appliance. They ran the business for years before selling out and going to work for Kampschrors where he worked until retirement. Retirement was short lived as Leland just couldn’t sit still. He opened Leland’s Repair shop to keep busy and was very happy “tinkering” with appliances. In 2011, Leland and Twyla moved to Billings to be closer to the doctors to deal with health issues. They returned to Glendive in 2016 to get away from the big city and be back home with friends and family. Leland’s deep faith in God was evident in all that he did. While living in Glasgow Leland helped establish the Church of Christ congregation there. First gathering at his home before the first building was purchased. When they first moved to Glendive he was instrumental in purchasing a building where the Glendive Church of Christ could meet. He preached sermons and provided leadership during this time. He worked with the Mayfair Church of Christ in Huntsville, Alabama for support to hire Bill Goben to be their full time minister. With Bill Goben, he oversaw the expansion of the church and was involved in gaining new members. During his retirement years Leland was key in refurbishing the Glasgow Church of Christ. While in Billings Leland would drive his friend Jack Church to the smaller communities each Sunday so that Jack could preach to the congregations that did not have a preacher. Leland is survived by his wife Twyla of 64 years. His siblings, Lila Keller of Great Falls, Montana; Norman (Linda) Keller of Colorado Springs, Colorado; Vernon (Margie) Keller of Huntsville; Lester Keller of Texas; and Lloyd (Marietta) Keller of Sidney, Montana. His five sons, Howard Keller of Big Horn, Montana and his children: April, Evan, and Jerron; Larry (Tammy) Keller of Columbus, Ohio; Jim (Nancy) Keller of Glendive and their children: Charle, Robbie, Eric and Amanda (Jerrod); Mark (Dana) Keller of Wasilla, Alaska and their children: Megan, Mike (Molly) and Sarah (Rae); and Eldon (Angela) Keller of Fort Worth, Texas and their children: Andrew (Rebecca) and Daniel (Bekah). His fourteen great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews. Remembrances and condolences may be shared with the family at: www.silhafuneralhomes.com.