Of Hubertus, Wisconsin passed away on Tuesday, August 5th, 2025 at Zilber Family Hospice in Wauwatosa, WI.

Peter Michael Keller, “Pete”, was born on January 16th, 1956 in Fort Wayne, Indiana to George and Pat Keller. Pete was their fourth child and second son, joining older siblings George, Mary Larene and Sarah. He was an unflappable and adventurous little brother who became a generous and thoughtful big brother when John, Mark and youngest sister Anne joined the family.

Pete’s childhood can’t be remembered without mention of mishaps and near-disasters. Fearless 8-foot jumps from the garage roof, horseplay that ended with his arm through the glass of a storm door, and most memorably, a broken leg after being hit by a car. This last mishap meant 6 weeks in an itchy cast, but also afternoon malts and a brand-new transistor radio courtesy of the guilt-ridden driver who hit him.

Pete's adulthood can’t be remembered without mention of his intelligence and broad curiosity, his abiding Catholic faith, and the generous way he shared himself, which always meant a full measure of his time, talent and love. He was the person you could count on to show up: as a brother, a friend, an uncle. He had a great moral compass and gave careful thought to how he lived in the world; he left us a beautiful example of what it looks like to "preach the gospel at all times, and when necessary, use words".

We'll miss accompanying him on arduous hikes (also known as "death marches") and listening to him rattle off the scientific names of plants and trees with fluent affection.  We're profoundly grateful for the gift of Pete's stories: funny, compelling, embellished with grand gestures and vivid embroidery, they perfectly showcased his clever, wonderfully silly sense of humor.

Pete is preceded in death by his father and mother, George and Pat Keller, his sister Mary Larene, and his brother-in-law, Harris “Biff” Draayers. He is survived by siblings George, Sarah (the late Harris Draayers), John, Mark (Terri) and Anne Ryan (Steve) and brother-in-law Patrick Daniel (the late Mary Larene Keller), as well as nephews and nieces: Chris (Kerry) and Andrew Keller, Kate Payne (Tony), Jessie Ceglarski (Charlie), Harry Draayers (Riley), Hannah Ware (Matt), Casey, Danny and Jackson Keller, John Keller, and Amelia, Isabel, Emma, Olivia, Peter and Joseph Ryan. He also leaves behind seven great-grandnieces and nephews: Liam, Quinn, Colin and Padraic Keller, Eloise, Penny and Teddy Payne, James and Eliza Ware and Holden Draayers.

Visitation on Saturday, August 23rd from 9 – 10:30 am followed by an 11:00 am funeral mass will both take place at St Boniface Church (W204N11940 Goldendale Rd, Germantown, WI 53022)

A picnic celebration of Pete’s life will follow at Homestead Hollow County Park, details provided at the church.

Pete received excellent and compassionate care at Froedtert Hospital’s Cancer Center and Center for Advanced Care as well as at Zilber Family Hospice in Wauwatosa, WI. In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to Friends of Pike Lake, www.friendsofpikelake.org.