Leon Keller

Butch was born on June 24, 1944, in Mandan, ND, to Egidi and Anna (Zacher) Keller and was the youngest of nine surviving siblings. He graduated from Mandan High School in 1962, where he excelled in football and basketball. In high school, he was named all-conference center in football and received a scholarship to Minot State College. He later transferred to the University of North Dakota, where he graduated from the inaugural class of physical therapists in 1970.

After graduation, Butch started his career at Medcenter One, where he worked for more than 30 years. He transformed the one-person PT department into a full rehabilitation center with a staff of over 40 people.

Butch’s love for horses and rodeo led to the development of the Medcenter One “Riding for the Handicapped” program and the hospital-based rodeo sports medicine program, the first and only one in the nation at that time.

Butch had many passions, including billiards, golf, team roping, hunting, and traveling.

He was preceded in death by his parents; sisters Anna Keller, Geneva Keller and Adeline Kraft; brothers Ramond, Eugene, Eustachias, Daniel, Charles, and Winfrid Keller; sisters-in-law Marilyn Keller and Cathy Mosbrucker; and brother-in-law Robert Hetzler.

Butch is survived by two daughters, Andrea Mahany of Port Angeles, WA, and Kristen Hanning (Richard P.) of Tucson, AZ; grandsons Grayson Mahany and Braydon Mahany of Tucson, AZ; sisters Ramona (Jerry) Kelsh of Fullerton, ND, and Bernadine Hetzler of Mandan, ND; and brothers August (Irene) Keller of Fargo, ND, and Pius (Arlene) Keller of Bismarck, ND; brother-in-law Al Kraft of South Dakota; and sister-in-law Dessie Keller of Kentucky.

A Celebration of Life will be held in Mandan, ND, in May 2023.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.neptunesociety.com/location/tucson-cremation for the Keller family.