Sean Ryan Keller

After a courageous and long battle with depression, Sean Ryan Keller died on November 21, 2025. He was 50 years old. We are heartbroken by the sudden loss of our dearest son, brother, uncle, nephew, cousin and friend, and we will miss his warm heart and quick wit.

Sean was born in Des Moines, Iowa, and grew up in Dallas Center, Iowa, graduating from Dallas Center-Grimes High School in 1993. He went on to Simpson College in Indianola, Iowa, where he received his Bachelor of Arts in 1997. He was a student ambassador, a member of the Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity, and Homecoming King. Some of his friends nicknamed him “Mr. Simpson.”

Sean served the Denver community through his career in the nonprofit field, making many lifelong friends along the way at the Downtown Denver Partnership, Regis University, MSU Denver, United Way, Teach for America, and Graland Country Day School. He aspired to be a comedian or comedy writer, recently taking a stand-up comedy class.

Sean was devoted to his family, friends and dogs. He was the most loving and loyal son, brother, uncle, doggie dad and friend, and anyone who ever knew him could confidently say he was the funniest person they have ever known. He made friends wherever he went, as people were naturally drawn to him, and he made everyone feel special.

Sean is preceded in death by his mother, Gay Ryan Keller and his dogs, Coco and Ronni. We take comfort that he is with them, along with Aunt Jodine and Cousin Barb. He is also preceded in death by his grandparents; aunts, Sherry, Jodine, Mary, Dorothy and Ruthe; and uncles, Drexell, Bob, Jake and Alvin. He is survived by his father, Peter Andrew (Andy) Keller and stepmom, Jan Keller; sisters, Kim Senger and Kara (Jonathan) Thompson; and the lights of his life, his nieces, Julia Thompson and Georgia Thompson. Other survivors include his Uncle Joe, Aunt Marion, and many loving cousins and friends.

A Memorial Service will be held on Monday, December 29, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. at Smith Chapel on the Simpson College Campus, 407 N. Buxton St., Indianola, Iowa, with a reception following at a location to be determined.

A Denver celebration of life will be held in January, with details forthcoming.

In lieu of flowers, please direct donations in Sean’s memory to Simpson College at https://access.simpson.edu/register/gift2annualfund, or to:

Office of College Advancement

Simpson College

701 North C Street

Indianola, IA 50125

Memorial donations may also be sent to Freedom Service Dogs at https://freedomservicedogs.org/donatefsd/ or to:

Freedom Service Dogs

7193 S. Dillon Court

Englewood, CO 80112