Jack E. Keller

Jack Edward Keller, 32, a courageous and faithful warrior for Christ and beloved husband, father, son, brother, and friend, did not lose the fight . . . he won the battle. He did not die . . . he became fully alive. Our most precious and beloved Jack met his Savior, Jesus Christ, on December 1, 2011, at home surrounded by his family, after a courageous battle with cancer.

The story of Jack Keller began on February 2, 1979, in Minot, ND. He was the second born son to Gary and Marlys Keller. He spent his growing up years with his two best friends, his brothers, Eric and Josh Keller, riding 4-wheelers, sledding, water skiing, and camping at the lake.

He attended Minot Bishop Ryan High School and graduated from Our Redeemer's Christian School in 1997. After high school, he attended Briercrest Bible College in Caronport, SK, for two years. In 2000, Jack began working at First International Bank and Trust in Fargo, ND, as a Network Administrator. He worked there until his death and dearly loved his 'bank family.'

Jack was diagnosed with Primary Pulmonary Hypertension in 2002 and received a second chance of life on October 15, 2004, with a double lung transplant at the Mayo Clinic. We will be forever grateful for the Larry and Elaine Burma family, whose son, Aaron Matthew was Jack's donor.

In 2004, Jack met and fell in love with the love of his life, Sarah Waag, and they were married on July 8, 2006, at Bethel Evangelical Free Church in Fargo. Though they were told that they wouldn't be able to have biological children, they were blessed in 2009 with a miracle, their son Aaron Matthew Keller. Two years later, another miracle was born, Andrew Nehemiah Keller.

Jack found joy in being a small group mentor to young men at youth group. Jack always tried to have a winning team with his many Fantasy sport leagues, but he didn't always succeed. He poured his heart into being a devoted, intentional and loving husband and he experienced great fulfillment in being a Daddy-the hero of his boys' heart. Above all, the greatest passion of Jack's life was his Jesus.

Jack showed us what it meant to live a life fully surrendered to the Lord. Through his suffering, Jack was given the gift of understanding what is truly important in this life and he preached it beautifully with how he lived and died. In his own words, 'I need to give up what I want . . . Jesus has asked me to lose what is important to me to gain what is best for me and that which will last forever. Jesus needs to be my treasure. He needs to be what I fight for and die for. My wife and boys are amazing and important to me, but I have to keep an open hand on them and a closed fist on my Jesus.'

So now we celebrate that Jack is beholding the Glory of God . . . dancing with the angels and embracing the reality that all of the suffering he endured was fully worth it . . . because Heaven is worth it all.

Jack is survived by his wife, Sarah and his sons, Aaron and Andrew; parents, Gary and Marlys Keller; brother Eric Keller and wife, Amber; brother Josh Keller and wife, Rachel; nephew, Elijah Keller; and nieces, Abby and Gloria Keller.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be sent to the International Justice Mission and/or a trust for Aaron and Andrew at First International Bank & Trust.

Memorial service: Friday, December 9, 2011, at 10 AM, Triumph Lutheran
Brethren Church, Moorhead.