George Philip Keller

It is with great sadness that the family of George Philip Keller announce his passing on November 20th, 2024, at the Humboldt District Hospital at the age of 98, with his family surrounding him. 

George was born on October 3, 1926, to John and Barbara (nee Weber) Keller in Bateman, SK; and was the oldest of three children. In the early 1930s the family moved to the Dubuc area before proceeding to Nut Mountain, where they started to farm. He took his schooling there and after grade 7, he left school and began working on the farm. 

In January of 1945 at the age of 18, George went to Regina and enlisted in the army. He received his basic training in Peterborough, ON and his advanced training at Camp Borden. When his training ended in May of the same year; he was granted farm leave, and then received his formal discharge in November of 1945 as the war had ended. 

While George worked on the farm, he also logged in the High Tor area, and he worked for other farmers. It was during his time in the army that he discovered a love for driving large trucks and thus began his career of being a truck driver. For a time, he hauled gasoline from Regina to Kelvington and then in 1961 George moved to Yorkton and started working for Atomic Transport. At the start, he hauled cattle; and when the company switched to hauling general freight, he travelled from Manitoba to Alberta. Years later, he switched to a daily run between Yorkton and Winnipeg, which meant more time at home. In 1979 he took a position as warehouse foreman, and when he retired in 1991, he was the highway dispatcher. 

In 1949 George married Florence Althouse from Nut Mountain; but it was a short marriage, as she passed away in 1950. For many years after that, he remained single until he met Berniece Howie from Nut Mountain. In May of 1963, George and Berniece were married in Yorkton and it was there that they made their life together. In 1966, their only daughter, Shelley was born. Sadly, Berniece passed away in 1992. 

In 2001 George decided to move to Quill Lake to be closer to his grandchildren, Evan and Taralyn. As they were growing up, Grampa’s door was always open for them, and they were the light of his life. He was always interested in their lives and did not miss anything that was happening at school, or otherwise. After they graduated, he always wanted to know what they were doing, and when they were going to be home next. 

George was a quiet man, who enjoyed spending time with his family, going for coffee, watching NHL hockey and the Toronto Blue Jays games. In the summers, he loved to go camping and fishing and spent many summers at Fishing Lake doing just that. 

George will be greatly missed by his daughter, Shelley (Ed) Korolchuk and family: son Evan (Jenny Hinz); daughter Taralyn (Russell Moellenbeck). Nieces and nephews: Helen (Terry Sheppard) and family; Irene McLean and family; James Pallag; Robert Pallag; John (Francine) Pallag and family, and Jacquie Pallag. 

George was predeceased by his wife of 29 years, Berniece, parents John and Barbara Keller, sister Bertha Pallag, brother and sister-in-law Fred and Edith Keller and first wife Florence. 

A Gathering to Honour George's life will take place in 2025.

Memorial Donations in George’s name can be made to: 

Humboldt District Health Foundation

Box 1740, Humboldt, SK S0K 2A0

or

The Heart & Stroke Foundation

1738 Quebec Ave, Saskatoon, SK S7K 1V9