Rolland "Mike" Dean Keller

Rolland "Mike" Dean Keller age 91, of Wichita, Kansas passed away on Sunday, May 7, 2023. He was born on July 5, 1931, on a farm in Pratt County near Iuka, Kansas to Emmet Arthur and Verlie Faye (Leatherman) Keller.

He was first called "Mike" by his Paternal Grandfather soon after his birth, and was known by most of his family and friends as "Mike" the rest of his life.

"Mike" was a firm believer in Public Education and spent many of his years involved in one at one level or another. He attended elementary school in Pratt County at the country school named "Star", one mile from his farm home, through the 7th grade. He went to Antrim Rural School in Stafford County for the 8th grade, and then to Preston Consolidated High School in Preston, Kansas, for his High School Training.

Pratt Junior College was where he began his Teacher Training. He went one year and then taught the 5th and 6th graders in Gaylord, Kansas, for one year. He loved teaching, so he decided to go back to school to continue his Teacher Training and graduated in 1952.

The Korean War disrupted his educational plans when he was drafted into the Army in August of 1952. The service time was spent in Ft. Riley, Kansas, where he became a First Cook in a training company for Infantry Soldiers.

During the time that he was in the Army, he met and married Helen Bennett. They were married on Aug. 2, 1953. They had 2 children, Rollyna Irene and Kevin Brent.

After his discharge from the Army in 1954, he attended Friend's University in Wichita, Kansas. He earned a B.S. Degree in Education in August of 1955.

He began teaching again in Wichita, Kansas, at Park Elementary in the Fall of 1955. He taught all subjects to the 5th and 6th graders at Park for 3 years. He then transferred to Griffith Elementary in Wichita, and taught 6th graders all subjects for 6 years. Since his teacher's certificate qualified him to teach all grades from Kindergarten through the 12th grade, he decided to teach at the secondary level. He taught Social Studies at Mead Junior High for 14 years and Social Studies at Wichita High School South for 13 years. He appreciated his students at every level, and was thankful for the opportunity to teach at all these levels. He was always delighted when a former student would recognize him and speak to him. It gave him a chance to see how their "life after school" turned out.

While teaching, he did attend Wichita University (now Wichita State University) and earned a Master's degree in Education plus an additional 64 hours of graduate work beyond the Master's.

He retired from teaching in 1991. He did some part-time work, some substituting in the Wichita Public schools, and some volunteer work., A deep love for traveling caused he and his wife, Helen, to visit all 50 of the States in the United States and some of the Provinces in Canada.

Mike loved his Lord and expressed that love by his work in the Local Church as a layperson. Over the years, he served on church boards; Pastor's Cabinets; as a Sunday School Teacher; a Song Leader; a Choir Director; a Pianist; a Pulpit Supply; and even conducted 2 different weekend Revivals. His goal was to please the Lord and to bring Honor to his Lord with his life.

Mike was extremely proud of his family. He loved them dearly and helped and encouraged them in their many varied undertakings. He wanted what was best for them and appreciated them more than words could have expressed. He loved to share with his friends about their many achievements.

He is preceded in death by his wife Helen; parents; 5 sisters and 5 brothers.

He is survived by his daughter, Rollyna Hull (Rev. John Hull); son Kevin (Tamila Kindwall-Keller); siblings Freda Smith, Carol Buster, and Athol "Bud" Keller; grandchildren Joshua Hull (Katie Hull), Michael Hull, and Tori Keller; and great granddaughters Clara Hull and Lucy Hull.

A visitation for Rolland will be held Monday, May 15, 2023 from 12:30 PM to 2:00 PM at Lakeview Funeral Home, 12100 E 13TH ST N, Wichita, KS 67206, followed by a Celebration of Life at 2:00 PM.

Contributions in Rolland's memory may be made to Good Shepherd Hospice, 7829 E Rockhill St #403, Wichita, Kansas 67206 US, https://www.goodshepherdhospice.com/donations/.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.MyLakeviewFuneralHome.com for the Keller family.