Merna B. Keeler

Merna B. Keeler, 78, Mankato, died Dec. 3 at Salina Regional Health Center, Salina, Kansas.
She was born Jan. 26, 1930, in Jewell County, Kansas, near Ionia. Her parents were Glenn and Ida Miles Wright. She attended rural schools and graduated in 1948 from Ionia High School.
On June 1, 1948, she married Nelson Keeler in Hays. He preceded her in death in 2006.
For several years after her marriage, Merna worked at Kiers Grocery Store in Mankato. She and Nelson moved to the farm where she shared in a farm-livestock operation. After her family was raised she worked at Mankato Professional Pharmacy where she still “filled in” until October of this year when she became ill.
Past and current memberships include Montrose United Methodist Church, Hawthorne Club, Montrose Community Club, Happy Homemakers Club, Chapter CN of P.E.O. and Harmony United Methodist Women, Mankato.
Survivors include a son, Jeffery Keeler and his wife, Christy, Goehner, Neb.; Julie Bourbon, Topeka; brother, Edgar Wright and his wife, Pat, Formoso: grandchildren, Katie Keeler, Lawrence, Kan.; Kristen Rottinghaus, Axtell, Kan.; Jacob Keeler, Hays; Maggie Keeler, Lincoln, Neb.; and three great-grandchildren.
Besides her husband, she was preceded in death by a sister, Ardeth McGinnis.
Services were Saturday, December 6, 2008, at 2:00 p.m., at Montrose United Methodist Church, rural Mankato, Kansas, with burial at Pleasant View Cemetery, Montrose. Pastor Jim Rice officiated. Music was by Pat Grout, Mankato.
Pallbearers were: Jacob Keeler, Todd Rottinghaus, Stanley Keeler, Garry Keeler, Tom Schuetz and Lyle Dauner. Honorary bearers were: Wayne Dunn, Roger Reiter, John Grimes, Bob Grimes, Mike Jacobs, Monte McGinnis, Don Keeler, Larry Lee Keeler and Doug Webber.

The family suggests memorials to Mankato City Library, or to P.E.O. Scholarship Fund, in care of the Mortuary. Melby Mortuary, Mankato, Kansas, was in charge of arrangements.