Helen Keeler 1936-2018

Helen Rita Kramer Keeler, 81,  Whiting, died Friday, March 2, 2018, at her home.

She was born Aug. 31, 1936, in Seneca, the daughter of Frank and Rose Buessing Kramer. She graduated in 1954 from Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic Schools in Seneca.

Mrs. Keeler worked at Hallmark Cards in Topeka for about nine years.

She was a member of St. Leo’s Catholic Church in Horton, where she served as director of religious education for youth, choir director and lector at mass. She was a leader of the Whiting Beavers 4-H club and director of the 4-H concession stands for the Jackson County Fair and the Whiting Activities Club.

She married A.J. “Sonny” Keeler  on July 16, 1966, at Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic Church in Seneca. He survives.

Other survivors include four children, Neal Keeler and wife Debbie and Brian Keeler, all of Whiting, Jodi Wohletz and husband Brad, Shawnee, and Kirk Keeler and wife Diane, Wetmore; two sisters, Dorothy Selk and husband Larry, Topeka, and Sister Rosa Lee Kramer, Daughter of Charity of St. Louis, Mo.; five grandchildren, Grace, Sam, Isaac, Maggie and Mia Wohletz; two stepgrandchildren, Janae Nilges and husband Greg and Brant Morris; and numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents; her sister, Anna May Gore; and her brother, Regis Kramer.

A rosary will be recited at 6:30 p.m. today (Monday) at St. Leo’s Catholic Church in Horton, where family will greet friends following the rosary. Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Tuesday at St. Leo’s Catholic Church. Burial will be held in St. Leo’s Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Helen Keeler memorial fund, to be designated later and sent in care of Dishon-Maple-Chaney Mortuary, 909 Central Ave., Horton, KS 66439.