She was born to Carl and Iva Barthel on Dec. 24, 1932 at home near Amelia, Neb.
She graduated from Central Bible Institute in Springfield, Mo., and was married to Ralph Keller on Sept. 3, 1958 in Burwell, Neb. They made their homes in Renton, Wash., Milwaukie, and Sandy. Upon her husband Ralph’s death, she lived in Sandy, Rainier, and Hermiston.
She was a wonderful mother to three daughters – Charlene, born in 1959, Sandra, born in1960, and Vicki, born in 1963.
Prior to starting her family, she taught school near Burwell, Neb., and worked at Boeing in Renton, Wash. She was a stay-at-home mom until the girls reached their teen-age years, then she and Ralph bought a restaurant in Carver and “Keller’s Kitchen” came into being.
She loved her Lord, her sisters and brothers, daughters, sons-in-law, grandchildren and great grandchildren and spent as much time as she could with each of them. She loved to write notes and cards to friends and family – her annual Christmas letter was always a highlight. She enjoyed traveling and liked to stop by and visit loved ones. Playing games, food and laughter were always an important part of these visits. She left those she loved with wonderful memories and a godly heritage that will last forever.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Carl and Iva Barthel; sister, Carolyn Mullins; husband, Ralph Keller; and daughter, Vicki Schneider.
She is survived by her sisters, Shirley and Lloyd Lytle of Nebraska, and Virginia and Paul Phillips of Washington; brothers, Stanley and Carlene Barthel of Idaho, Eugene and Reta Barthel of Nebraska, and Rodney and Kathy Barthel of Texas; daughters, Charlene and Kurt Webb of Burwell, Nebraska, and Sandra and Rick England of Hermiston. She will be missed by 11 grandchildren, 19 great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.
Funeral services for will be held on Thursday, Aug. 7 at 11 a.m. at Hermiston Assembly of God, 730 E. Hurlburt Ave., and Saturday, Aug. 9 at 11 a.m. at Sandy Assembly of God, 39800 Highway 26, Sandy, Ore., 97055.
