Derrick Keller Dies: #7 Top Story Of The Year

We're counting down the most inspiring, popular, interesting and tragic stories of the year.

Derrick Keller Dies: #7 Top Story Of The Year

We're counting down the most inspiring, popular, interesting and tragic stories of the year.

On June 26, former Orioles baseball player Derrick Keller died. He had been battling leukemia for 10 months after being diagnosed on Aug. 1, 2011. He subsequently underwent a bone marrow transplant and battled cytomegalovirus. On June 27, Derrick's family wrote on his CaringBridge page: We are not in a good place right now, We are just numb. DK started bleeding on the inside this morning. This is something we were warned about. He looked so good last night. This afternoon about 4:00, Derrick passed away. We lost our son, and God has him now. He is playing shortstop in a double header right now. Three months after his death, his family posted this on CaringBridge: Today is 3 months since Derrick passed. Linda and I have learned a few things…

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Three Months After Derrick's Passing, Keller Family Sees a 'Sign'

The former St. Louis Park baseball star died in June after a battle with leukemia.

Three months after former St. Louis Park baseball star Derrick Keller died due to complications from leukemia, the Keller family said they are still grieving but believe DK is here in spirit. The following was posted on Keller's CaringBridge page Wednesday night: Today is 3 months since Derrick passed. Linda and I have learned a few things during this time. We have learned that there is nothing worse a human can have happen to them than losing your child. We have learned that there are times when you get mad at the world, and times you really get mad at God. We have learned that when your child dies, all your hopes and dreams die with him. This is where we are at after 3 months. Every single day I think about how unfair this was. I cry …

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Amy Senser, House Fire and Mug Shot: Feedback Friday

The most thoughtful, moving, controversial or just plain funny comments from around the west metro between July 6 and July 12.

Each week, Patch users contribute numerous insights, opinions and observations. The following is a collection of the most thoughtful, moving, controversial or just plain funny comments that appeared on Patch sites in Edina, Golden Valley, Hopkins, Minnetonka, Richfield, Shakopee, Plymouth, St. Louis Park and St. Michael. Click on the headline to read the full story and join in the conversation. (The comments below are not meant to reflect the opinions of Patch or its staff.) *** Congressman Paulsen: Court Ruling Means 'Massive New Tax or Higher Insurance Premiums' Erik Paulsen says health care bill burdens next generation with debt and threatens good private coverage. Ginny Jones disagreed with the congressman: I am so tired of Republicans…

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SLP Upsets EP, Dedicates Win to Keller

The Orioles knocked off a state power on an emotional night.

For the second time in two weeks, St. Louis Park dedicated a win to friend Derrick Keller. Wednesday night's Legion game marked the first home game since Keller's death two weeks ago. His parents, Bob and Linda Keller, were recognized in a special pre-game ceremony and Derrick's No. 15 jersey was retired in a touching tribute. Derrick was the South Hennepin Legion 2011 Player of the Year and an All-State player. Playing in his memory, the Orioles went out and spanked Eden Prairie, 8-3. Ryan Froom tossed 93 pitches in a complete game effort, striking out four and allowing six hits. At the plate, Parker Stennes went 3-for-4 with two doubles and two RBIs. Jacolbi Courington-Meier had two hits and two RBIs. Jack Olevitch also added two hits. …

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Keller Family Asks: What Would Derrick Want?

Two weeks after the former St. Louis Park baseball star died, his family tries to "move on and be happy."

Two weeks after former St. Louis Park baseball star Derrick Keller died at the age of 18 following a battle with leukemia, his family is asking "What Would Derrick Want?" as they try to cope with the loss. In a recent post on CaringBridge, the Keller family says Derrick would "want us to move on and be happy. "It's going to take a while for that DK, but (we) will try our best. We owe you that." Here's the full post: It has now been two weeks since Derrick has passed.Two of the worst weeks Linda and I have ever had to go through. There is nothing that can prepare you for this. My cousin lost her daughter a couple months ago. I felt so bad for her at the wake. At that time Derrick was looking good, so I never thought this could happen to us…

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Coping Without DK

The former St. Louis Park baseball star, 18, died a week ago.

It's been one week since Derrick Keller, an 18-year-old former St. Louis Park baseball star, died after a long battle with leukemia. The last seven days have of course been tough on the Keller family, but as evidenced by a recent CaringBridge post, healing is occurring: I have discovered in the last few days that faith is a big part of dealing with pain. Pastor Tania saved me on Tuesday. She really did! Linda and I were with DK right before he died. We both left the room as his blood pressure was dropping like a rock, and they were stopping all the life support. We did not want to watch him die. My plan at that time was to get a bottle of scotch when I left the hospital, and make all the pain go away. I was sitting with Pastor Tania right …

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Keller Passes Away, Robin Hood Steals: Our Biggest Stories of June

With July upon us, we look back at what had St. Louis Park talking in June.

As we roll over the calendar to July, here's a quick look at the five stories that had St. Louis Park talking in June: Derrick Keller, Former SLP Baseball Star, Dies After being diagnosed with a high-risk form of leukemia in August 2011 and subsequently undergoing treatment, Derrick Keller passed away Tuesday afternoon.  Scars Remain, But Holy Family Looking to Work With Neighbors on Expansion The relationship between Holy Family Catholic and St. Louis Park's Sorenson Neighborhood has had its ups and downs. As the church nears the start of a project to expand its school, work is being done to heal some of the wounds. SLP Police Arrest Robin Hood for Alleged Theft A St. Paul man with a familiar name has been charged with stealing computers …

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Bow-and-Arrow Drive-By And Mourning Those Who Died: Feedback Friday

The most thoughtful, moving, controversial or just plain funny comments from around the west metro between June 22 and June 28.

Each week, Patch users contribute numerous insights, opinions and observations. The following is a collection of the most thoughtful, moving, controversial or just plain funny comments that appeared on Patch sites in Edina, Golden Valley, Hopkins, Lake Minnetonka, Minnetonka,  Plymouth, Richfield, Shakopee, St. Louis Park and St. Michael. Click on the headline to read the full story and join in the conversation. (The comments below are not meant to reflect the opinions of Patch or its staff.) *** Lakeside Vigil Remembers Kennedy Maddox Just hours after divers recovered his body, Kennedy Maddox's friends came together to grieve the 20-year-old's sudden death. Robert Edmondson didn't know Maddox, but he posted a poem on Patch Thursday …

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