Shirley Keller | 1936 - 2026
Obituaries-Pierre / Posted Oct 16, 2026 | 4:45 PM / 192 views
PIERRE, SD – Shirley Dean Keller went into the loving arms of her Savior Tuesday October 13, 2026. Shirley was born April 3,1936, the second of seven children to Arthur and Bertha Lehrkamp, in Sully County, SD. Family visitation will be October 23, from 5-7pm with a prayer service at 7pm at Faith Lutheran Church in Pierre. Funeral service is scheduled for 11am October 24 at Faith Lutheran Church with a luncheon to follow. Burial will be at Riverside Cemetery in Pierre, SD following the luncheon.
The family purchased a farm outside of Harrold, SD in 1946 where she attended Harrold High School, graduating in 1954. While in high school, Shirley participated in the band, sports and was the homecoming queen. On June 9, 1954, she wed Marvin (Peewee) Keller. Shirley and Peewee moved to Pierre and raised their 3 children, Renee, Galen and Paula.
Shirley had a wide range of career choices. She worked as a secretary for the State of SD, City of Pierre, driver’s license exam station, retail worker, Maryhouse and house cleaning.
Shirley was baptized on May 31,1936 and confirmed May 22,1949 at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Harrold SD. Upon moving to Pierre, Shirley joined Faith Lutheran Church and was a lifetime member. At Faith she taught Sunday School, sang in the choir, and was a member of LWML and Altar Guild. She was always willing to lend a helping hand when needed.
Shirley did many hobbies such as sewing and crocheting but was passionate most of all about gardening. Her summer flowers and beds of flowers were amazing and her pride and joy. After their children left home, they spent several winters in Arizona and then many years in Florida with Paula.
Shirley and Peewee worked side by side to remodel homes later in their careers. Shirley had an eye for home design and decorating. They moved to Rapid City to remodel a home when Peewee passed away in 2004. Shirley then returned to Pierre in 2011 for the remainder of her life.
Shirley was preceded in death by her husband Marvin (Peewee); son Galen; parents Arthur and Bertha Lehrkamp; siblings Gloria French, Marcia Ernster and Leo Lehrkamp; brother-in-laws Jerald “Red” Westall, Richard French, Marvin Barnes, Robert Schmitz, Gary Keller and Gordon Keller; sister-in-laws Eileen Schmitz and Patricia Keller, along with numerous nieces and nephews.
Left to cherish her memory are daughters Renee (Richard ‘Dale’) Knapp of Pierre, Paula Keller of Panama City, FL and daughter-in-law Kathleen Keller of Pipestone, MN. Granddaughters Kahla (Christopher) McCurdy of Boise ID, Karna (Joshua) Pfeffer of Pierre SD, Megan Keller (Marco Rosa) of Odenton MD, Amy (Aaron) Lundberg of Washougal WA, and Becky Rieck of Pipestone MN. Great grandchildren Hattie and Eleanor McCurdy, Kinslee and Kaehlyn and Jocelyn Pfeffer, Brody and Grady Lundberg, Riley and Mason Rieck. Her sisters Bea Westall of Mesa AZ, Rhonda (Richard) Krell of Rifle CO and Darrel Lehrkamp of Arriba CO and many extended family members and friends.
