Martin "Marty" B. Keller

Martin B. Keller, age eighty-nine, passed away peacefully in his sleep Nov. 23rd, 2025 at his home. Martin (Marty) was born December 28th, 1935 in the town of Perry, WI. Marty was one of 8 children born to Martin Sr. and Rose Keller. Marty worked the majority of his life in the farming & dairy business. He worked the family farm, at Gerber Farm Service, then AMPI. Later in life he was a one-of-a-kind handyman for the Rest Haven Nursing Facility and Waunakee Valley (formerly Waunakee Manor). If you needed something fixed, he knew how to do it. Marty married Joan M. Benash June 22nd, 1957. Marty was a loving and devoted father of three daughters, Chris, Sheri and Lori.

Marty was passionate about his family and spending time together, camping, gardening, church, playing cards, farming, the Ronald McDonald House, and Packer and Badger games. He loved a good joke and made a mean grasshopper ice-cream drink. He was also a recipient of the Badger Honor Flight for his active duty service in the U.S. Army. He served March 1958 to March 1960 active duty and was honorably discharged February 29th, 1964.

He was active in the Junction Road Neighborhood Association and then active at Waunakee Valley with running what is known as “Marty’s Manor Mart”. Along with the small store he ran, he helped maintain their patio and garden area with his green thumb. He assisted staff there with numerous events and outings and soon became known as the “Mayor of the Manor”.

More than anything he loved his wife, children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.

His humor and wit were some of his best qualities, along with the ability to make people laugh. His words of wisdom will follow us girls throughout our lives.

Marty is survived by his daughters, Christine (Daniel) Plendl, Sheri Keller, and Lori (Kenneth) Prieur, grandchildren Matthew (Shawna) Plendl, Joshua (Naomi) Plendl, and great grandchildren, Dylan, Charlotte, Brooks, Caleb and Grace, his brother Harold Keller, sister Diane (John) Shea, and brother-in-law Jim Gehin; along with extended family members. He was preceded in death by his parents, Martin Sr. and Rose, his loving wife Joan, sisters Florence (Henry) Hoesley, Viola (Delbert) Elmer, Vera (Kenneth) Frey, Donna Gehin, his brother Roland Keller, and sister-in-law Shirley Keller.

The Visitation and Funeral will be held at St. John’s Catholic Church, Waunakee on Thursday December 4th, 2025. Visitation will be 9:30am-11:30am with the Funeral following. A luncheon will be served at the American Legion in Waunakee immediately following the Funeral.

Please, we ask that in lieu of flowers and plants to make a donation to any of the following: St. Jude’s, the VA, and/or The American Children’s Hospital. This was our Dad’s wish.

The family would like to thank Waunakee Valley, Brighton Hospice and the VA for their compassionate care of our Dad.

Winn-Cress Funeral Service

5785 Hwy Q

Waunakee, WI