Gabriel V. Keller, 84, Harvey, ND died Monday, October 24, 2011 at the St. Aloisius Nursing Home in Harvey.

Funeral Mass will be at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, October 29 at St. Cecilia Catholic Church, Harvey. Burial will be in the church cemetery.

Visitation will be Friday from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Hertz Funeral Home, Harvey, ND.

Prayer services will be at 7 p.m. Friday at the funeral home.

Gabriel was born on March 6, 1927 near Selz, ND. He was the son of Valentine and Johanna (Busch) Keller. He attended the St. Cecilia Catholic School in Harvey. As a young man he worked as a farm laborer, managed a threshing crew and also worked for the Harvey Creamery and Harvey Locker Plant. Gabriel joined the Navy in April 1944 and served as a Seaman 1st Class on the aircraft carrier, USS Vella Gulf CVE-111. The carrier operated in the Pacific Ocean during World War II and after wards providing support to the occupation forces in Japan. Gabriel was honorably discharged in June 1946 and returned to Harvey. In 1947 enlisted with the 164th Tank Company in Harvey and served for four years. He also worked in Denver, CO at his brothers company. He married Marlys Filler on November 22, 1951 in Denver. They moved back to Harvey and raised their seven children, Gary, Valerie, Dora, Cyndy, Marla, Kevin and Colleen. Gabriel worked for Moser Plumbing, Heating and Excavating. In 1963, Gabriel and Marlys established Keller Plumbing, Heating and Excavating. They retired after selling their business in 1985.

During Gabriel's lifetime he had many hobbies and interests. He took up boxing and stock car racing. He was the pitcher on an area fast pitch softball team that took part in two National Fast Pitch Softball Tournaments. He went on fishing trips both in state and several trips to Yakatut, Alaska with his brother Frank and other buddies. He was a Harvey Hornet fan through three generations. Horseshoes were also a favorite.

Gabriel's civic involvement included serving on the Harvey City Council and member of the Board of Adjustments, Planning and Zoning. He was past member and Fire Chief of the Harvey City Fire Department, charter member of the Harvey Jaycees and a member of the Fraternal Order Of Eagles Aerie # 3080. He was also a member of the American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars Posts in Harvey. He donated 20 years of service as supervisor of the G. F. Schroeder Memorial Park and served on the Sheyenne River Development Committee for 20 years.

Gabriel was a member of the St. Cecilia Catholic Church where he taught CCD and was involved with CYO classes. He was a 3rd and 4th Degree member of the Harvey Knights of Columbus Council and was a Catholic Order Of Foresters member. Gabe was a thoughtful, loving and caring husband, father and grandfather. He spent time with his grandchildren developing good work ethics.

Gabriel is survived by his wife, Marlys of Harvey, two sons, Gary (Deb) of Harvey, Kevin (Cheryl) of Columbia Falls, MT; five daughters, Valerie (Joseph) Gross of Minot, Dora (David) Heil, Cyndy (James) Sitar, Colleen (Dennis) Wipf, all of Harvey; Marla (Clifford) Calheim of Jamestown, 21 grandchildren; 27 great-grandchildren; brother, Frank of Tucson, AZ. Gabriel was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, John, Edward, and Joseph; sisters, Annie, Mary and Eva.