Obituary of Estelle Keller

Estelle G. Keller was born October 10, 1923 to Michael and Margaret (Doocy) Baker in Swea City, Iowa and passed away September 19, 2013 in Eugene, Oregon from cancer. She married Ralph L. Keller September 20, 1944 in Brownsdale, Minnesota. Together they ventured west to Pasco, Washington until the end of WWII. From there to Klamath Falls, Oregon where they remained until 1951, when they brought their four children to the Eugene, Oregon area. Mom and Dad were devoted to their faith and began attending what is now Willamette Christian Center in 1951, where Mom remained attending until early this year. Mom taught Sunday School, Vacation Bible School, and participated in many other outreach ministries over the years. She was a “people person” and delighted in serving other in whatever capacity she could, “behind the scenes.” Mom’s professional career included sales in grocery and hardware stores in the midwest, bookkeeping at Square Deal Lumber Co. and sales at The Wild Plum Bakery, where she remained active until April 2012. Mom instilled a strong work ethic in her children by “leading,” not “sending.” Activities included working in the bean yard, strawberry patch, walnut and filbert orchards and commercial cleaning. Estelle is survived by her four children: Ron (Shirley) Keller, Cheryl (Don) Griffis, Nancy (Ray) Evans, and Steve (Joy) Keller. She was grandmother to Chad Griffis, Brent Evans, Jeff and Curt Keller and Kelly Griffis, great-grandmother to Brian and Bradley Keller. Estelle is also survived by her brother George (Arleen) Baker; sisters Margaret Korolewski, Celesta Johnson, and Bertha (Bob) Braland; sisters-in-law Yvonne Baker and Viola Baker; brother-in-law Bernard Mengwasser and numerous nieces and nephews. Estelle was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Ralph, brothers Bernard and Joe Baker, and sisters Evelyn Mengwasser and Marie Holland. Mom loved her family, extended church family and friends. She will be sorely missed by all. We have the blessed hope of seeing her again in heaven. The family would like to thank Willamette Valley Cancer Center, Sacred Heart Hospice and the staff of Churchill Estates for the care of Mother this past year. A celebration of life will be held at 1:30pm on Saturday, October 5, 2013 at Willamette Christian Center, 2500 West 18th Avenue, Eugene, Oregon. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to a charity of your choice or “Estelle’s Pantry” at Willamette Christian Center. Arrangements entrusted to Lane Memorial Funeral Home. Please access the obituary and you are invited to sign the guestbook at musgroves.com