August 1, 1938 – Jan. 28, 2012

Jacob ”Jake” J. Keller, 73 years young, unexpectedly passed away on January 28, 2012, at St. Charles Hospital after a successful open-heart surgery. A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, February 4, 2012, at 11:30 a.m. at the Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Sunriver, OR.

Jake was born in Manti, UT, to Calvin ”Tom” and Lillie Francis (Barton) Keller on August 1, 1938.

Jakes health deteriorated as he approached his centenarian years, but he never lost his sense of humor and handsome looks.

Jake married the most beautiful Dutch girl he’d ever seen, Ricky Van den Berg, on May 4, 1962, in Salt Lake City, UT.

Jake retired from the U.S. Army as a Command Sergeant Major (CSM), dedicating 26 years of service with the UT ANG Combat Engineers. He also retired from Boeing (Commercial Airplane) Company in Seattle, WA, dedicating 15 years of service.

After Jake and Ricky retired, they moved to Bend, OR. Jake was a dedicated volunteer with the Upper Deschutes River Coalition (UDRC) for 26 communities in the Sunriver/LaPine area. Jake created a legacy second to none with the wonderful friendships he created and the truly phenomenal accomplishments he achieved with this nationally recognized non- profit wildfire prevention organization.

Jakes family would like to thank all our wonderful friends and family for their love, support, and prayers through this truly trying time.

Jake is survived by his wife, Ricky; three daughters, Sharae (husband, Steve) Nielson of Ogden, UT, Sarol Keller of Bend, OR, and Shani (husband, Jerry) Blades of Graham, WA; three grandchildren, Stanton (wife, Christie) Nielson of Fort Meade, MD, Sheanna (husband, Jason) Crossley of Ogden, UT, and Cierra Blades of Graham, WA; and two great-grandsons, Treycen and Tycen Crossley.

Jake and his family would like to request that in lieu of flowers/plants, please make donations to the UDRC in c/o the Jake Keller Memorial Fund, P.O. Box 3042, Sunriver, OR 97707.

Baird Memorial Chapel of La Pine, OR, served the family. 541-536-5104 www.bairdmortuaries.com