Darrell Keck

Born September 9, 1947, Darrell A. Keck, our beloved husband, father, brother and friend, having lived life to the fullest, said “last call” for his final time on January 28, 2018.

Darrell was born and raised in Great Falls, MT.  He worked hard all his life.  Starting at the ripe old age of 13, some of his jobs included cook, truck driver and lumber worker before he found a more permanent place at Western Drug where he stayed for 17 years working his way up to store manager.  He left Western Drug to be the owner of the Dixie Inn Steakhouse and Lounge in Shelby, MT, where he remained for 30 years until his retirement in 2015.

The Dixie Inn opened the doors for his involvement in the Montana Tavern Association where he was elected President and later served as Chairman of the Board.  He was also a Montana representative to the national organization representing taverns for several years.

He was very proud of contributions he made to “help crippled children walk” as a member of the Algeria Shrine Temple, where he rose to the office of Potentate.

Darrell loved the time he spent with family and friends, whether talking history or politics, wheeling and dealing his guns or anything else, listening to old music and dancing, he was always the life of the party.

He is survived by his wife of 44 years, Jeanne; his five children, Jim, Wendy (Brady Wright), Mary Beth, Sandra and Christopher; as well as his brother, Jim Babst, and sister, Toni Sward.  He will also be missed by his numerous brothers- and sisters-in law, and a plethora of nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his father, William Earl Keck and his wife Rose; his mother, Laverne Cowan Hansard; and his grandparents, Les and Dorothy Cowan.

Visitation will be held on Monday, February 5th from 5-7 PM followed by a vigil from 7-8 PM at Whitted Funeral Home in Shelby.  A funeral liturgy will be held on February 6th at 10:30 AM at St. William’s Catholic Church in Shelby.   Reception will follow at the Coyote Club.  Darrell requested memorials be made to the Shriner Children’s Hospital in Spokane at www.shrinershospitalsforchildren.org and designating the gift go to the Spokane hospital; or to the church of your choice.