Wilma Eloise (Heupel) Keller, 91, a long-time resident of Bottineau, North Dakota, passed away on Saturday, November 14, 2020 at Valley Woodside Village in Grand Forks, North Dakota. A private family funeral will be held  at the  Our Savior's Lutheran Church in Bottineau. Burial will be in the Oak Creek Cemetery, also in Bottineau. Visitation will be held at the Nero Funeral Home in Bottineau from 3:00-7:00 pm on Wednesday, November 18, 2020.

Wilma was born to Edward and Pauline (Ulmer) Heupel on May 18, 1929 in Wishek North Dakota. She graduated from Wishek High School, and after entering into an agreement with her father was able to attend college. Her father agreed to let her keep the cream money if she milked the cows for two years, earning her the finances needed for her college dreams. Wilma attended Dakota Business College in Fargo, North Dakota where she met the love of her life, a tall, dashing young man in an army uniform and still on crutches from a wound received while doing intelligence work for the U. S. Army after the war, by the name of Clifford Keller. They married on October 30, 1948 in Grand Forks, North Dakota. At that time, Wilma worked at Popplers Furniture Store while Cliff worked as a staff accountant for Minnkota Power Cooperative. After living in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania and Baltimore, Maryland for a brief time while Cliff was recalled to active duty for the Korean conflict, the couple moved to Bottineau in 1951 where they raised their four children. Wilma and Cliff were married for 58 years before Cliff's death on November 20, 2006. Wilma remained in Bottineau until 2015 when health issues forced her to move back to Grand Forks.

Wilma was very active in their church, Our Savior Lutheran in Bottineau. She was involved in LWML, participated in Bible studies, and taught Sunday School for many years. Wilma loved music and always regretted she wasn't able to participate in any musical groups as a child. She made sure her children had a piano in the home, and the opportunity to study and enjoy instrumental and vocal music. One of her favorite pastimes was playing cards, especially bridge. She was very active in the Bottineau Bridge Club. When Wilma and Cliff wintered in southern California for a few years after retirement, she even entered bridge tournaments in Las Vegas. She also enjoyed numerous fishing trips to various locations in Canada and North Dakota with her husband.

Wilma is survived by her children, Steven of Bottineau, Bruce (Kathy) of Thief River Falls, MN Jayne Morrison of Grand Forks, ND, Matthew (Deneen) of Newberg, OR/Thorne Bay, AK; grandchildren Shannon (Ryan) Galbreath, Nathan, Josh, Zach, and Sam Keller, and Kayla (Jon) Howser; great grandchild, Lyndsey Galbreath, and one brother, Elmer Heupel. Preceding Wilma in death were her husband Clifford, her parents Ed and Pauline Heupel, sisters Irene Just and Gertrude Perman, brother Harley Heupel, and son-in-law Donald Morrison.

The family would like to thank the many healthcare providers who provided such wonderful, loving care to Wilma while her health slowly deteriorated over the years.