Joey Lee Keeler, 55, Santiago, MN, died Saturday, Oct. 4, 2014 in Neche, ND of natural causes while at his beet picking job.

 

Joey was born May 20, 1959 in Minneapolis, MN, the son of LeRoy and Rosella (Kuklinski) Keeler. He attended District #21 school in Santiago and graduated from high school at Princeton in 1977. Joey attended college at St. Could State University. He worked as a welder for door manufacturing companies in Minneapolis, MN and Brooklyn Park, MN before transferring to Denver, CO. Joey worked for Commercial Door Company in Corcoran, MN before an accident that limited his physical ability to work. However, Joey would return to Neche annually to be a driver for the sugar beet harvest.

 

Joey had an excellent memory. He loved travel, stock car racing as well as Vikings football, Minnesota Wild Hockey and NASCAR.

 

Survivors include his son, Cody (Special friend, Alysha Hartkopf) Keeler, Hillman, MN; daughter, Cari (Joel) Jankowski, Rockford, MN; grandchildren,  Stephen and Anastasia Jankowski, and Jordan (Keeler) Hartkopf; mother, Rosella Keeler, Santiago, MN; Joey’s special friend and soul mate, Linda Christen and her children, Billy and Kate Gillham; brother, Larry “Sam” (Michelle) Keeler, Foley, MN and their children Elisha Borst, and Sam, Abbie and Mitchell Keeler; sister, Jordie Stay, (Special family friend, Mike Brady), Bowlus, MN and her children, Tony and Sonya; also surviving is his dog, “Charlie”.

 

Joey was preceded in death by his father, LeRoy Keeler and his grandparents, Tony and Liz Kuklinski, and Edgar and Hannah Keeler.

 

Memorial Services will be 3 p.m. Sunday, October 12 at Glendorado Lutheran Church of Princeton. Visitation will be for the hour before the service in the church.