Wilbur Earl Keeling came to Valley City with his family in March 1947 to each in the Social Science Department at the Valley City State College. He was born at Walhalla, North Dakota January 19, 1908. His parents were Charles and Cassie Walker Keeling. He received his B.A. from Mayville State College, his M.A. in history from the University of Iowa and his doctorate from the University of North Dakota. He taught at various places including the Junior College in Trinidad, Colorado and was registrar at the Minot State College as well as working in the field of Distributive Education in Minnesota and Wisconsin. He had been active in many organizations including the American Association of University Professors, The NDEA and the Knights of Pythias.
When he died November 10, 1967 he was head of the Department of Social Science at the Valley City State College.
Jennie Ferguson Keeling, his wife was born in Hillsboro, North Dakota August 20, 1908. Her parents were Charles and Jensina Ness Ferguson. She received her B.A. from Minot State College and took further work at Moorhead College in Special Education. She taught in various schools and retired in 1971 after teaching 13 years in Special Education in the Valley City schools. She has been active in the United Church of Christ on a state and local level, as well as AAUW, Community Concerts, and retired persons groups.
Wilbur and Jennie Keeling had three sons, one of which died in infancy. Of the other two, Robert William Keeling was born in Rugby, North Dakota January 5, 1938. He received his B.A. from Valley State College, B.A. and STM from Andover Newton Seminary in Boston, Mass. and is now working on his Ph.D. at University of Connecticut as well as serving a church in Trumbull, CT and doing family counseling. His three children are Christopher,. Jonathon and Catherine.
The second son Steven Richard Keeling lives in Valley City with his wife Geraldine Field Keeling. Steven was born October 1, 1943 at Thief River Falls, Minnesota.
He attended the Valley City State College t but got his B.A. from Mayville State College and his M.A. in Political Science L from North Dakota State University. He f has taught in Costa Rica, Tri State College in Indiana, as well as music in Hope F and Harvey, North Dakota. He has also f lived in Madrid and Majorca, Spain and t British Columbia. He is at present teaching at Kathryn, North Dakota.
His wife Geraldine Keeling is a well known pianist who taught at the Valley State College. She is a native of Osage, Iowa and her parents are John and Marie Field. She has her B.A. from St. Olaf College and her M.A. from the University of Indiana. She has studied music in Vienna and lived in Germany and Thailand. She is active in both state and national music organizations.
Source: Barnes County History 1976 Page 120