Alice Irene Keller

Alice Irene Schwan Keller, 85, Bismarck, died on March 21, 2013, after a lengthy illness. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Tuesday, March 26, at 12:30 PM at Cathedral of the Holy Spirit in Bismarck with Rev. Msgr. Thomas Richter officiating. Burial will be at St. Mary's Cemetery. Visitation will be on Monday, March 25, from 5:00 – 9:00 PM at Parkway Funeral Service, 2330 Tyler Parkway, Bismarck, where a rosary service will begin at 6:45 PM followed by a vigil service at 7:00 PM. Visitation will continue on Tuesday one hour prior to the service at the church. Alice was born on September 1, 1927, in Karlsruhe, ND, to Alex and Anna Klein Schwan. She was second oldest of fourteen children. The family farmed outside the town of Karlsruhe. Alice graduated from Karlsruhe High School in 1945, and went on to attend Minot Business College. Alice married Edward J. Keller on June 16, 1948, at St. Peter and Paul Catholic Church in Karlsruhe where they lived and had their own farming operation. In 1960 they moved to Bismarck, ND. Shortly thereafter Alice began working for the ND Aeronautics Commission, where she worked for 31 years. After she and Ed were both retired they enjoyed a life spent between their homes in Bismarck, winters in Mesa, AZ, and summers near Detroit Lakes, MN. Alice loved to garden and grew beautiful flowers and tasty vegetables. Her strawberry rhubarb jelly remains her grandchildren's favorite. Alice was an accomplished baker and cook, and she had a talent for sewing. She enjoyed being around family and friends, volunteering at Seeds of Hope Thrift Store, going for walks with her neighbors, and catching up during a summer afternoon get-together. Alice is survived by her five children, Bonnie Tim Fischer of Bismarck, Wayne Cindy Keller of Valley City, Gerard Joni Keller of Fargo, Sheila Keller of Bismarck, and Jane Berg of Walhalla; as well as her ten grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. She is also survived by eight siblings, Edward Schwan, Victoria Kuncir, Isabelle Carlson, Loretta Abel, Beatrice Aberle, Jerry Schwan, Patrick Schwan, and Audrey Alman. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Ed; her brothers, Everett and Myron; her sister, Corrine; and two siblings who died in infancy. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorials be made to your favorite charity or to the Bismarck Area Catholic Education Fund BACEF.

Alice Irene Keller

September 1, 1927 - March 21, 2013