Keith Robert Marthaller

Keith Robert Marthaller was born April 6, 1979. He was the last of Marthallers. Keith grew up in Anaconda with friends who became family. His mother, Silvia Peterson, passed when he was young and his dad, Ken Marthaller, remarried prior to his passing. This left Keith with the most wonderful mom, Sally (Bleile) Marthaller. Sally treated this young man as her own. She raised him, taught him, and loved him. Sally also brought Keith a sister in Julie.

Keith graduated from Anaconda High School in 1997. He was so kind and fun loving. He always tried to bring a smile to those around him. He was incredibly animated and always shared his love of the game cartwheels.

Even though both of Keith’s parents passed when he was young, he was never without family. He kept collecting family throughout his life because he was so kind and lovable. This started with the Bleiles, then moved on to the Heaneys, the Smiths, the Monacos, and Josh Follman. After high school Keith attended the University of Montana. Prior to realizing college was not for him, he left his mark, especially at Pantzer Hall. There are many great stories about Keith, and he loved hearing and reliving all of them.

In April of 2005, Keith finally made a move on Alexis Monaco. It took him quite a while to realize she was available and interested. He asked her to accompany him to a house party in Lost Creek. They went to the party with a few other friends. Alexis left her cell phone and car keys in the car while they socialized at the party. When Keith was ready to leave he did not want to bother Alexis, as he thought she was having a good time. He quietly left with his friends. Alexis realized this and after a few phone calls she found Keith at the Harp, sitting at the bar with her cell phone and car keys. He said he knew she would find him because he had her stuff. She never left him again.

Their time together was magic. Her family became his family, and his chosen family became her family. They eloped in Las Vegas in 2008, and welcomed Link in 2014. This added to Keith’s family. He loved pop culture, golf, baseball, video games, and newly discovered the greatness of hockey. He was a Braves fan, an unfortunate Cowboys fan, a Griz fan, and a newly minted Canucks fan. He loved watching and playing golf. He taught Alexis to golf, and she only hit him with a ball once. Some of the best times of his life were on a golf course. He felt at home there.

Keith was a helper. He had a way of making others feel comfortable and at ease. He was a natural at helping people find calm. This was a bit ironic, considering he was always worried and anxious. When Alexis was pregnant, he would often make himself sick with worry. She was his calming presence and could help him find his zen. Many days started with reminders of blessings and the good in life. The main one was Link. He was incredibly proud of his child’s intelligence, strength, creativity, and wit. They shared a stubborn streak, and Alexis would often remind him of their similarities. He was so worried about being a good dad, but the worry never showed because his love was all that was needed to create a strong, confident, amazing child.

While Keith left us early, he made his mark. He saw, again, that Alexis was having fun, but he was ready to go. He quietly slipped away but kept her stuff with him. It’s not her car keys and cell phone, but something much more sacred. She knows when she is ready, he will be there waiting to give her back her heart.

Please join us for a celebration of life on Thursday April 9, 2026, at 1pm at Longfellow Finnegan Funeral Home. A luncheon at the Club Moderne will follow. In lieu of flowers, please donate to a cancer charity of your choice, or to Link’s college fund at Southwest Montana Credit Union.

We would like to thank the wonderful people at the Oncology and Infusion Center in Anaconda and the amazing people at Providence in Missoula. You were all so kind and caring. We would also like to thank our community. You all have shown us there is so much good in this world!

Keith enjoyed comfort, golf, and pop culture. Please wear your most “Keith appropriate” clothing. Choose a golf shirt, a nerdy shirt, your good sweats, whatever makes you comfortable and happy!

Longfellow Finnegan Riddle Funeral Home have been privileged to care for Keith and his family.