Gaynell Keller

Funeral services for Gaynell Keller were held on Saturday, October 26, 2024, at 10:30 a.m. at the Naper Community Church in Naper, NE, with Jeff Hart officiating.

Music was provided by the congregation, accompanied by Ann Anderson.

Casket bearers were Jason Keller, Kurtis Keller, Klinton Keller, Arthur Schroetlin, Eric Schroetlin, Ryan Leriger, and Kyle Kruse. Honorary casket bearers were Mandy Keller, Karla Keller, and Crystal Kruse.

Interment was in the Knollcrest Cemetery in Naper, NE. Clausen Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.

Gaynell Marie Keller was born August 7, 1931, at Spencer, NE, to Chris and Inez (Carlson) Rockholm. Gaynell graduated valedictorian of her class from Naper High school in 1949. She received a scholarship to Wayne State College. Instead of going to college, Gaynell chose marriage, and therefore endorsed her scholarship over to a classmate. She married Elmer Eugene (Bill) Keller on May 25, 1949. The couple lived on a farm four miles east of Naper in an original sod house for 30 years. They moved to her parents farm one mile north of Naper in 1979 after her parents passed away. She helped with every aspect of farming from milking, calving, and field work while always having a hot meal to take to the field every noon.

She also had a passion for gardening and spent endless hours weeding, watering and harvesting. She was a seamstress sewing the majority of her and her children’s clothing. Gaynell will also be remembered for the cakes she and her daughter Cindy decorated for weddings, anniversaries, graduations and birthdays. She was also known to always have a camera in hand and to take a picture or two on any occasion. She has albums stacked to the ceiling of her closet as a testament to her hobby.

In the Naper community she was very active in planning and organizing of the yearly Naper High Alumni Banquet and was fortunate enough to be able to attend and celebrate her 70th class reunion. She belonged to the Naper Community Church, and was active in the Ladies Fellowship for numerous years holding every leadership office.

In June of 2021 she moved from the family farm to the Butte Assisted Living and then to the Senior Living in December of 2022 until her passing.

She passed away on October 22, 2024, at the Butte Healthcare Center in Butte, NE, at the age of 93 years.

Gaynell is survived by sons Randy (Carol) of Naper, NE, and Timothy (Rita) of Wayne, NE; daughter Cindy (Ron) Schroetlin of Butte, NE; eight grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandson; sister-in-law Norma Vanderbeek of Spencer, NE; and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Gaynell was preceded in death by her husband Bill in 1989; an infant daughter Carla; and infant brother Freddie Dale; her parents Christ and Inez; in-laws Elmer and Nellie (Davis) Keller; and a special friend Lester Neumiller in October of 2021.