Dale Clifford Keller was born February 28, 1936, in Hegbert Township, Swift County, Minnesota, the son of William and Hilda (Hoppe) Keller. He was baptized, at home, on March 22, 1936, by Rev. Ristow. Dale was confirmed in 1950, at Fairfield Lutheran Church, by Rev. E.T. Meichsner. He was raised in the Appleton area and attended Country School through the Eighth Grade. Dale was a member of the National Guard from 1953 to 1957, serving as a Specialist Second Class, Tank Company, 136th Infantry. During this time he also farmed with his father on the home place. He was united in marriage to Roberta Grace Wirth in 1958. This union was blessed with two children: Terri and Tami. Dale continued with his farming, near Appleton, until moving to the Twin Cities and then to Milwaukee, Wisconsin, where he owned several gravel trucks. In the 1960's he hauled gravel for road construction in Milwaukee, Indianapolis and in Florida. Dale's marriage to Roberta Grace was dissolved during this time. Dale met Wanita Paulson in 1971 and they were married. He was blessed with four additional daughters: Tammy, Karmen, Karena, and Naomi and a grandson, Dale, who he and Wanita raised from birth. In 1986 the couple moved to Florida where they resided until 2000. The Keller's moved to Appleton in 2000, where Dale continued his trucking business until 2014. Dale purchased a semi-truck and trailer and operated his own trucking business for many years. He hauled for several brokers, including Valley Express in Fargo, ND and Elliott Transport System in Moorhead. Dale was awarded Driver of the Year in 2004. Dale hauled potatoes from St. Thomas, ND to southern Florida. He also moved produce from Florida to Minnesota. He loved to buy watermelons and cantaloupe and give them to his family and friends in Appletonthis caused his great-grandson, Tyler, to call him "The Fruit Man." Dale loved the gift of giving. Dale passed away October 15, 2015, in his home. He attained 79 years, 7 months, and 16 days of age. Dale is survived by his wife, Wanita of Appleton; six daughters: Terri (Steve) Spak of Milwaukee, WI, Tami (Mark) Skiba of New Lisbon, WI, Tammy (Mark) Tester of Otsego, Karmen (Jon) Ellison of Talladega, AL, Karena Miller of Otsego, Naomi (Virgil) White of New Port Richey, FL; "son", Dale (Kirstin) Keller of River Falls, WI; 11 grandchildren: Amanda (John) Nelson, Angela Seagren, Joseph (Meghin) Willut, Dale (Kirstin) Keller, Alisha and James Miller, Karen Stone, Kayla and Sean Tester, Jeremy White, and Neal Spak; 8 great-grandchildren: Tyler, Evan, and Markie Seagren, Sarah Grace Nelson, Ethan and CJ Willut, Chloe and Sophia Spak; sister, Vera Beyer of Hancock; sister-in-law, Judy Keller of Appleton; nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, William and Hilda Keller; brother, William Keller Jr; sister, Diane Keller; niece, Lisa Keller; mother-in-law, Rachel Paulson; and brother-in-law, Willard Beyer. Blessed be the memory of Dale Clifford Keller.
