Blanche Keller, a life-long resident of the Rapid City area, died at the age of 94 on June 6, 2006, at the Sturgis Community Health Center, Berry Unit. A visitation will be held Friday evening, June 9th from 4 to 7:00 PM at the Behrens-Wilson Funeral Home. Blanche was born Elnora Blanche Oldfield in Pierre, South Dakota, on November 5, 1911. She moved to Owanka with her family in 1919, relocated to New Underwood in 1929 and graduated from New Underwood High School in 1930. She attended Black Hills Normal School in Spearfish and received a 1st year teaching certificate in 1931. She then taught eight grades in a one-room prairie school south of Owanka for several years. In 1935, she tested for and received a Civil Service position as the postmaster of the U.S. Post Office in New Underwood, and also operated a small ice crème parlor in the back of the post office. In 1937 she married Earl Keller, who worked at the Pennington County National Bank that was later reorganized as the Rapid City National Bank. Blanche continued to work at the post office and made the long distance commute to Rapid City on the weekends to be with her husband until her first son, Edward, was born in 1939. At that time she relocated to Rapid City and became a full-time mother and housewife. Janice was born in 1940, followed by Richard in 1946. Blanche was active in numerous community and church activities. She served as a Cub Scout den mother, a Brownie Scout and Girl Scout leader for over ten years. She was president of the local Girl Scout Council for one year during this period. She served in St. Margaret's Guild and the Altar Guild at Emmanuel Episcopal Church for many years, worked with the Rapid City Jaycettes and volunteered at the St. John's Hospital gift shop. She was an active participant in all of her children's school and outdoor activities with family and friends. She participated in the PTA and the Parents' Council when the children were in grade and high school, respectively. She was active in bowling, bridge and golf and in 1967 served as president of The Ladies Golf Association. Her efforts as an inspiring mother were recognized when she was nominated as the AAUW's "Woman of Achievement," but was most proud of being chosen as a "Merit Mother" by the South Dakota Mother's Association in 1969. She also received an award for meritorious service during the recovery efforts following the flood of 1972. After the children left for college, Blanche and Earl enjoyed traveling extensively throughout the world with good friends and family. They spent winters in Rancho Bernardo, California, primarily enjoying golf. Blanche returned permanently to Rapid City after Earl passed away in 1983. She lived independently in Rapid City until 2004, when with failing health, she moved to the Sturgis Community Health Center. She was preceded in death by her husband, Earl, son-in-law, Donald Bryant, grandson, Chandler Keller, her parents, 3 brothers and 2 sisters. She is survived by her son, Edward Keller and wife Carole Lynne of Orinda, California, daughter, Janice Bryant of Holmes Beach, Florida, and son, Richard Keller and wife Kathy of Del Mar, California. Also, surviving her are nine grandchildren, Jennifer Flores, Edward Keller, Jr., Danielle Foster, Craig Keller, Morgan Keller, Carmen Bryant, Camille Bryant, Brandon Keller and Gavin Keller, 8 great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews, including Joann Hilton of Rapid City and Fern Brown of Sturgis.