Christopher Robert 'Chris' Keller, 22 Sep 1978 - 10 Aug 2020

KELLER, DEFENBAUGH, PLANTS, GARY, DALTON, PRIOR, MORRIS, BOLLINGER, MCCULLY

Posted By: Sarah Witte (email)
Date: 8/27/2020 at 13:32:08

Christopher R. Keller, age 41, of Brooklyn, passed away Monday, August 10, 2020. Funeral services: 10:30 a.m., Wednesday August 26, 2020 at the Michael J. Manatt Community Center, Brooklyn with Rev. David Rogula officiating. Burial will be at the Brooklyn Memorial Cemetery, Brooklyn. Visitation: 3-7 p.m., Tuesday August 25, 2020 at the Michael J. Manatt Community Center, Brooklyn. Memorials may be contributed to the Cement Mixer Wrestling Club. Kloster Funeral Home, Brooklyn is assisting the family with arrangements.

Christopher Robert Keller was born September 22, 1978 in Davenport, Iowa. He was raised by his father Dan Keller and mother Lynn (Defenbaugh) Keller. Chris started his education in Williamsburg until his family moved to Brooklyn in 1994 where he graduated from BGM High School in 1997. He worked at Nesselroad’s Chevrolet, Victor Plastics and was currently employed as a lineman with Brooklyn Municipal Utilities.

On October 4, 2003, Chis was united in marriage to the love of his life, Leah Plants. To this union, the couple had 3 amazing children Shamus (15), Shawn (12) and Shaelynn (10). Chris was very involved in the community, serving on the Brooklyn Fire Department for almost 18 years, 3 as fire chief. He also served on the Brooklyn city council for 9 years, the Brooklyn Ambulance, and the Brooklyn Telephone board. He was also a Mason with Poweshiek Lodge 174.

Chris loved his family first and foremost. He enjoyed attending his children’s events and helped in any capacity needed. He always encouraged his children to try their best and to enjoy what they were involved in. Chris loved taking his boys turkey hunting and being Shae’s date to the daddy/daughter dance. He was an avid wrestling fan and could often be seen coaching on the sidelines for his boys, their teammates, and his nephews. Chris was crazy about the Iowa State Fair and would often make trips to Des Moines just to drive through the fairgrounds. Chris never knew a stranger. He would go out of his way to help anyone, never expecting anything in return. He was kind, strong, smart, and funny. His laugh and smile were infectious. He was a loving husband, father, son, brother, uncle, and friend and will be deeply missed by every person whose life he touched.

Those left to honor Chris are his wife Leah of almost 17 years, children Shamus, Shawn and Shaelynn, mother Lynn Keller of Durant, Iowa, father Dan Keller of Arizona, brother Todd (Candi) Keller of Monroe, sister Melissa (Michael) Gary of Sully, his sisters-in-law Melissa (Jason) Dalton of Newton, Kristen (Chad) Prior of Williamsburg, Allison (Luke) Morris of Brooklyn, Hannah Plants (fiancé Noah Bollinger) of Des Moines, brother-in-law Matthew (Hanna) Plants of Des Moines, mother-in-law Anne (Andy) McCulley of Brooklyn and father-in-law Dennis (Teri) Plants of Des Moines. Chris was a proud “Uncle Chunky” to 20 nieces and nephews.

Published in The Hometown Current on August 26, 2020