Tyler S. Keener, 1997-2021
Obituaries-Mobridge / Posted Jan 14, 2021 | 9:23 AM / 1453 views
Mass of Christian Burial for Tyler S. Keener age 23 of Fort Yates, ND will be at 11 AM, CT on Tuesday, January 19, 2021 at St. Peters Catholic Church in Fort Yates, ND. Burial will be in Church Cemetery under direction of Oster Funeral Home of Mobridge, SD. Procession will be on Monday, January 18, 2021 at 230 PM, CT from Osters to the Long Soilder Yellow District Building in Fort Yates, ND for viewing from 4 to 6 PM, CT then will go to the Church for Rosary at 7 PM, CT. Tyler passed away January 12, 2021 in Fort Yates, ND. Oster Funeral Home is entrusted with Services for Tyler Keener.
Tyler Sidney was born March 25, 1997 at Bismarck to Guy and Jaime (Azure) Keener. He lived his early years until the age of 5 first in Grand Forks, ND followed by Fort Yates, ND. The family moved back to Grand Forks When Tyler was in Elementary School where he attended Lake Agassiz. While in the third grade a packet from the school was sent home with information regarding community after school activities which is where Tyler and the family learned about the Grand Forks Gladiator wrestling club. At first, Tyler was a little hesitant to join but at the first practice after meeting the coaches Jeff Welsh and Matt Burgland, a special bond began through coaching and leadership and this is where Tyler’s road to a future North Dakota State Wrestling Championship began. It was also in this club that he built many friendships with teammates which eventually became a part of his whole entire Grand Forks Wrestling Family. Tyler and these teammates stepped onto the battlefield “aka” wrestling matt together for 9 years with the club and in both Valley middle school and Grand Forks Central High School (GFC Knights). This all prepared Tyler for his high school career. At Grand Forks Central he placed three times in the Eastern Dakota Conference with a 7th place, 3rd place, and a capping it off with an Eastern Dakota Championship. As a GFC Knight he also placed Twice at the State Class A level with a 7th place finish (sophomore) and a 3rd place finish (Junior).
After the completion of his junior year of wrestling, Tyler and his family moved back home, and he became a Standing Rock Warrior. Tyler met his coaches at Standing Rock Garek Murphy and Dave Rowe and just like before developed a great bond with them along with his new teammates. Tyler gave much credit to his new teammates for pushing him to the limit in each practice. Tyler had a strong foundation and added to it with the teachings of the Standing Rock Coaches and the competition in the new wrestling room. As his senior year of wrestling progressed, Tyler was the #2 ranked wrestler in the state of ND in the class B division at 126 lbs. Halfway through the season he changed the rankings with a win over the #1 ranked wrestler in the state. These two top ranked wrestlers met up two more times in the season and Tyler was victorious each time. Tyler went into the regional championships as the #1 seed and left as the Region IV champion which landed him the #1 ranked wrestler going into the State Class B Championships. Tyler went in as the #1 and finished as the #1 by becoming a ND State High School Champion. Tyler’s name will always remain on the Standing Rock Community High School wall of State Champions. This championship touched many but especially his former Grand Forks Wrestling Family, his Warrior Wrestling family, and especially the communities here on Standing Rock.
After high school Tyler attended Dakota College at Bottineau through Minot State for one year before signing up to become a North Dakota Army National Guard Soldier. Joining the ND National Guard was always on his mind because it was an idea and a push, he received from his Special Friend Katie Mclaughlin that began his senior year of high school and into his year at Minot. Katie is also currently a soldier in the North Dakota Army National Guard. Once Tyler was sworn in, he was assigned to the “Support Platoon of the 957” of the North Dakota National Guard based out of Bismarck, ND. After a few months Tyler was finally shipped out and he completed his basic training at Fort Jackson SC and went straight to Virginia for his AIT training thereafter. Upon completion of AIT he returned home and attended his monthly “Guards” weekends and two weeks trainings in the summers. Tyler was a soldier in the ND Army National Guards for a little over four years. When Tyler talked about being in the National Guards all signs indicated how much love and enjoyment, he felt being a part of this family the 957 and he did not want to let anyone down. Tyler would always speak about the love and respect he had for his fellow soldiers and the higher-ranking officials he worked under. So, thank you Katie for this chapter of Tyler’s life and we sure hope you received a recruiting bonus for this :).
Alongside Tyler’s service with the “Guards”, he developed a love for the game of softball. Once again, he created many strong bonds with teammates and strengthened existing bonds with close friends, he already considered his family to which they all eventually became his brothers. We can still remember the first time he was asked to play on a team the huge smile (All Cheese) he had on his face. Tyler was looking forward to another softball season which now he will have to play in heaven with one of his best Bro’s “Kellz”. So, to his teammates, play hard and enjoy it and remember, these two are going to be “razzing” you all from above.
Tyler was a polite, caring, and humble young Man. He loved his family dearly and wanted the best for his two siblings Kaden and Jacelyn. Every time he would walk through the door, he always asked “where’s Kaden and Jace”. Tyler loved his Dallas Cowboys and would catch so much flack because of the huge following of other teams in this area. But he did not care and would just razz you right back. He is a true Cowboys fan. Tyler also had a tremendous love for playing video games. He had friends from all over that he met on this online platform. He also loved his dogs (Kato, Lincoln, and Buddy) and could get them just excited or riled up. They may have learned just as much wrestling moves as anyone else. Tyler never lost his love for wrestling. Anytime college wrestling was on TV he would watch till the end. Tyler had a lasting impression on so many and we hope he touched your hearts as much as you all touched his.
Tyler is survived by his Parents Guy and Jaime Keener; Brother Kaden; sister Jacelyn; Grandmother Mary Lou Azure; Great Aunt Helen Perez & Family; uncles’ Daniel Keener and Family, Steven Youngman and Family; Great Uncle Jerry (Lisa) Azure & Family; God Parents Dr. Abby Davis & Russell Young Bird; Special Brothers Kolan Snider & Family, Vincent (April) Keener, Shawney Tree Top, & Steath Keener; Special Cousin Kimberly Claymore; and Numerous cousins.
Tyler is preceded in death by Great Grandparents George & Elizabeth (Silk) Azure, Guy Claymore & Clara Poppen (Demery); Grandfather Tommy Buffalo Boy; Grand Parents Levi and Sonja (Claymore) Keener; and numerous Great Aunts and Uncles.
Casket Bearers will be
SFC Mortvedt, Dave
SSG Schmidt, Russel
SPC Dusek, Matthew
SPC Radke, Christopher
SGT Aladeselu, Ayokunle
SPC Clouse, Joshua
All are Support Platoon of the 957 EN (MRBC)
Honorary Pallbearers:
Kolan Snider & Family; Shawney Tree Top; Steath Keener; Vincent (April) Keener; Kobe Murphy; Cole Iron Shield; Derrick Iron Shield & Family; Keenan Hurley; Gabe Archambault; Tristan Four Swords & Family; Isaih (Fuzz) Archambault & Family; Grandmother Mary Lou Azure; Steve Sitting Bear & Family; Russell Young Bird & Family; Dr. Abby Davis & Family; Special Friend Katie Mclaughlin; George & Kim (Yellow Hammer) Leingang; Earlwin & Georgina Yellow Hammer; Jesse Mclaughlin & Family; Kory Mclaughlin & Family; Dawnette (Lawrence) Montclair; Lisa Merline; Richie Claymore; Luger Families (Sandy, Bruz, Shane, Brit); Jimmy Molash & Family; James Molash & Family; Clayton (Maria) Hagel & Family; Rick Perez; Val Perez; Rosalyn Buffalo Boy; Kelly Hurley; Renae Renville & Family; Garek Murphy & Family; Cassandra White & Kyrese; Renee Vermillion, Phyllis Young, Rhonda White, Kathy Bailey, Josh and Taylor Molash, Alexa Azure, Paul Bordeaux, Standing Rock Sioux Tribe; Indian Health Service; Entire Grand Forks Wrestling Family; Entire Warrior Wrestling Family; All other wrestlers and coaches from other teams he touched; All softball teammates: All past classmates; And the North Dakota Army National Guard (957 Unit). If we have forgotten Anybody It was not our intention Please Forgive us.