Conrad Gene Keller

Former Worland resident Conrad "Cooney" Keller died on May 30, 2016 in Boulder, Colorado after being stricken with Alzheimer's disease in 2003.

Conrad was born on December 12, 1948 in Ranchester, Wyoming. He was one of eight children born to Freida (Strecker) and Edward Keller. He moved to Hardin, MT with his family in 1949 where the family farmed until moving to Worland in 1958. Conrad then attended schools in Worland for several years before the family moved to the Emblem Bench during 1962-1965. They moved back to Worland and he finished high school with the Class of 1966.

He farmed with his family until joining the U. S. Army in December 1968. He then trained as a Military Policeman and was subsequently stationed in Germany for two years. Upon his discharge he returned to Worland to farm with his family, Ed Keller and Sons.

Conrad married his high school sweetheart, Shauna Daugherty, on November 9, 1969 in Worland. They farmed with his family until 1975, then worked for Laird Farms, before starting farming on their own in 1977. He farmed on West River Road and on South Flat road until selling out in 1995. During his time on the farm he had been named both a top beet grower and the Barley Grower of The Year.

He then worked at Pepsi and on the trans-Canada oil pipeline near Worland. At this time he divorced and moved to Colorado. While living in Colorado he met Joni DeBates, and the couple were married on September 14, 2002 in Broomfield. The couple then made their home in Broomfield and he worked for the City of Louisville, Colorado in the maintenance department, until his health forced him to retire in 2005.

He enjoyed watching movies, playing cards and dice games, collecting coins and watches, golfing and shopping at pawn shops with his wife Joni. He especially enjoyed being around his loved ones including his grandchildren, children, brothers and sisters, nieces and nephews, and of course his wife and his mother. He cherished the time that he had spent with his mother in her wood shop in Worland making furniture.

He had been a member of Zion Lutheran Church in Worland where he served on the Consistory and taught Sunday school.

He was preceded in death by an infant daughter, Connie Keller; his father Ed Keller Sr.; and his brother Randy Keller.

Conrad is survived by his mother, Freida Keller of Worland; wife Joni of Broomfield, CO; his two sons, Conrad G. Keller II, of Euless, TX and Paul (Kari) Keller of Worland and their children Emily, Joseph and Samantha. Also surviving are his siblings Betty Schaneman, Ed (Darlene) Keller Jr. and Edna Schneider all of Billings, Montana; Wayne (Margie) Keller of Worland; Joan (Alvin) Hanneman of Casper, WY; and Marilyn (Ron) Weir of Graettinger, Iowa; and by a host of nieces, nephews and cousins.

His funeral service will be held on Friday, June 3, 2016 at 2:00 PM at Zion Lutheran Church in Worland. Burial will follow at Riverview Memorial Gardens Cemetery in Worland.

Memorials may be made to Alzheimer's Association of Colorado at 455 Sherman Street – Suite 500, Denver, Colorado 80203.

Veile Mortuary is assisting the family with the arrangements.