Tom "Bones" Keller

Mass of Christian Burial for Tom "Bones" Keller, 71, of Mobridge, will be at 10 AM, Tuesday, December 30, 2025, at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Mobridge. Burial will be at Greenwood Cemetery under the direction of Kesling Funeral Home of Mobridge. Visitation will start at 5 PM Monday with a prayer service at 7 PM at the church.

Tom "Bones" Keller, born June 30, 1954, in McLaughlin, South Dakota, to Mike and Ida Keller, passed away peacefully surrounded by loved ones on December 21, 2025, at Avera McKennan Hospital in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. He leaves behind a profound 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, North Dakota, to assist his brother-in-law 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 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 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.
Bones' life brimmed with joy and a boundless generosity toward his community, leaving an indelible mark on everyone he encountered. 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; mother-in-law Ione (Fred) Bauer.
He is survived by his son Matt (Kylie) Keller and grandchildren Matson, Claire, and Carson, all of Mobridge, South Dakota; stepdaughter Dawn (Scott) Schanzenbach and their children Brittany Schanzenbach (Stephen Fischer) and their children Jaxon and Jovi of Gillette, Wyoming, Olivia, and Ava of Selby, South Dakota; sisters Nancy Scott, Dorthy Daly, Judy Swanston (Ron Lindner), all of Aberdeen, South Dakota; brothers Jim (Pat) Keller of Federal Way, Washington, and Kenny "Fox" Keller of Mobridge, South Dakota; sisters-in-law Becky (Gary) Fischer of Aberdeen, South Dakota, Michelle (Wayne) Sandmeier of Glenham, South Dakota, Tom (Janet) Naasz of Hot Springs, South Dakota, Julie Naasz of Bemidji, Minnesota, Kathy Naasz of Worland, Wyoming, and Georgia Naasz of Billings, Montana; many nieces, nephews, and cousins; and numerous friends and colleagues from his bar and livestock careers. Bones' spirit will forever warm the hearts of those he cherished.

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