Elva Mae [Ellis] Keller 1921-2011

WILMOT, ELLIS, KELLER, OFFIELD, GRIFFIN

Posted By: Curtis (email)
Date: 4/11/2011 at 14:14:56

DEATH NOTICE:

(The Leon Journal-Reporter Leon, Iowa March 23, 2011)

KELLER, ELVA MAE, 90, of Humeston, Iowa, died on Friday, March 18, 2011, at the Wayne County Hospital in Corydon, Iowa. Funeral Services were held at the Slade-O'Donnell Funeral Home in Leon, Iowa at 10:00 a.m. on Monday, March 21, 2011, with Pastor Dale O'Connell officiating. Burial was in the Garden Grove Cemetery, Garden Grove, Iowa.

Obituary -

(The Leon Journal-Reporter Leon, Iowa March 23, 2011)

ELVA MAE KELLER ... Elva Mae Keller of Humeston, Iowa, the daughter of John William and Adelie Lenore [Wilmot] Ellis, was born March 18, 1921 in Wayne County, Iowa. She died on her 90th birthday, March 18, 2011, at the Wayne County Hospital in Corydon, Iowa.

Elva Mae grew up in the Wayne County area south of Humeston, attending country schools and then Humeston High School. She worked for several families caring for both elderly and children. Growing up she learned to play the guitar and loved to sing old hymns and songs with her brother, Marvin, at many gatherings in Corydon and surrounding areas.

On April 17, 1940 she married Dean Herbert Keller in Princeton, Missouri. During the early part of their marriage they lived with Dean's family, then rented a farm east of Garden Grove. Always wanting a farm of their own, they were finally able to purchase the Bert McGhee farmstead in 1950 and lived together there until May of 2004 when Dean died. Elva Mae continued to live at the farm until 2008 when she moved into Humeston.

Dean and Elva Mae loved kids and enjoyed having all their nieces and nephews stay with them off and on throughout the years. Many of them have fond memories of staying with Uncle Dean And Aunt Mae Mae. They both made sure the kids had fun while visiting. They finally adopted their daughter, Mary Beth, in 1961, and their son, Clint, in 1963.

Elva loved to cook so "it's your own fault if you're hungry later" was often heard around the house. No one ever left her home hungry. She enjoyed decorating cakes for birthdays, weddings, and showers that in turn led to her being "volunteered" quite often by her kids to provide cake for their school functions. She kept busy helping Dean with the farm and raising her children, she also managed to find time to garden and enjoy being a member of the LeRoy Garden Club for a time. When they could, they would play cards with neighbors and friends. It a was given she and the kids were going to horse shows and sales any time Dean could find the time and one to go to. Many a time was spent at the Bethany Sale Barn to watch a horse sale with John and Thelma Hacker. Dean and Elva liked attending rodeos, surrounding county fairs and the Iowa State Fair. She loved being outside and when she moved to town liked sitting on her deck, watching folks go by and bird watching. She loved watching her granddaughters grow up and hearing about their activities, as well a sitting in her rocking chair playing catch with Lexie, her youngest.

Preceding her in death were her parents; brothers, Marvin and Raymond Ellis; sister Velma Offield; husband Dean; and son Clint in 1985. Survivors include her daughter Mary Beth Griffin and husband Doug of Humeston; granddaughters,Julie, Katie, and Lexie Griffin; sister-in-law Kitt Keller of Blacksburg, West Virginia; nieces and nephews; and other relatives and friends.