Balcer “BK” Keller, the son of Balcer and Barbara (Krause) Keller was born in the Berwick, North Dakota home of his parents on March 29, 1928.  He died at the age of 88 years on February 8, 2017 at the Villa Maria Care Center in Fargo, North Dakota.

At the age of 8 years, the family moved to Towner, North Dakota where he attended school and graduated the class of 1946. On May 1^st, 1950, he was united in marriage to Selma Nissen at the Little Flower Catholic Church in Rugby, North Dakota.  Following their marriage, the couple made their home in Towner, where he worked as Deputy Auditor for McHenry County until 1952 when he enlisted into the U.S. Air Force.  Following his honorable discharge on March 3, 1956, he returned as Deputy Auditor until 1961.  BK accepted a position as loan officer at Pioneer State Bank and worked there until his retirement in 1988.

BK served on many boards and was active in his church (St. Cecilia’s), serving on the cemetery board for many years and a term on the Diocese Financial Board of Directors.  He was a member of the Towner Volunteer Fire, Ambulance and Rescue for 20 years, 14 years as School Board Treasurer, and a 62-year member of the Towner American Legion Post 34.  While employed at Pioneer State Bank he also sold insurance, did residential and land appraisals, was a realtor, and clerked auction sales.  Clerking was a favorite for him, so after retiring from the bank, he worked with Kongslie Auction Service.  He spent his free time playing cards, fishing, hunting, golf and spending time at Lake Metigoshe with family and friends.  He and Selma spent many winters in Arizona following retirement.  In 2013, BK and Selma moved to Fargo to be near family.

Survivors include his wife of 66 years, Selma; son, Brad (Sindy) of Fargo; daughters, Barbara (Ross) Johnson, Lake Havasu, Arizona and Shari (Bob) Lilly of Phoenix, Arizona; grandchildren, Jenna (Randy) Johnson, Shane and Jeremy Lilly; great-grandchild, Eliana Lilly all of Phoenix.  He was preceded in death by one brother, John; infant granddaughters, Nikki and Erica Johnson; and his parents.

Memorial Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. Friday, June 2^nd at St. Cecilia’s Catholic Church in Towner with burial in the church cemetery.  Father Michael Schommer, Celebrant.

Visitation with family & friends will be for one hour prior to the service at the church.