Rose Marie Keller

OREGON - Rose Marie Keller, (aka Bear) age 89, of Oregon, passed away on Sunday, Oct. 31, 2021, at Oregon Manor Healthcare and Rehab. She was born May 5, 1932, in Belleville, Ill., the daughter of Ernest and Rose (Ehmke) Beck. Rose was raised in Belleville, the oldest of eight children. After High school, she worked at Mac’s Sandwich Shop where she met an enlisted man from the nearby Scott Air Force Base. This gentleman frequented the popular sandwich shop, but it wasn’t for the food. He had eyes for Rose. Their love story began. On Dec. 29, 1953, Don and Rose were married in Avoca, Wis. They were married for 58 years. In the 1970’s and 80’s Rose was the head cook for Oregon Manor Nursing Home. Not only did she cook, but she thoroughly enjoyed spending many hours socializing with the residents. After her time at Oregon Manor, Rose worked for Engineering Industries in Verona for 15 years, until her retirement. Together, Rose and Don shared a green thumb and loved spending time working in their gardens-she with her flowers and he with his vegetables. They both enjoyed being at home and spending time with their family. Large family cookouts and Packer games were often on the agenda for the weekends. Rose had a passion for reading and loved to share her books. Rose is now with the love of her life. She has been missing him dearly for a long time. Rose is survived by her daughters; Cheryl (William) Wolf, Donna (David) McClurg, Donata (Rodney) Hildreth; son, Brian (Amy) Keller; daughter-in-law, Debra Keller; 17 grandchildren, Bill Wolf, Brandon Wolf, Brady Wolf, Alicia Wolf, Chester Wolf, FuXin Keller, Zoe Keller, Amber Wirts, Charity Hynes, Brittany McCready, Brianna Lahti, Garrett McClurg, Hannah Hildreth, Elizabeth Hildreth, Grace Hildreth, Danielle Keller, Cameron Keller; 11 great-grandchildren; sisters, Sylvia Edwards and Shirley (Mike) Cornell; and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, Ernest and Rose (Ehmke) Beck; husband, Don; sons, Bruce Keller, Stephen Keller; sisters, Caroline Roedersheimer and Mona (Bob) Keller; and brothers, Leo (Pat) Beck, Jerry Beck, and Donnie (Esther) Beck; and four-legged friend, Reggie. A funeral service will be held at GUNDERSON OREGON FUNERAL AND CREMATION CARE, 1150 Park St., Oregon, at 11 a.m. on Friday, Nov. 19, 2021. Burial will be held at Prairie Mound Cemetery. Visitation will be held at the funeral home from 9 a.m. until the time of the service on Friday, Nov. 19, 2021. A special thank you to Heartland Hospice along with a very special thank you to Polly Boynton, GNP of SSM. Memorials in Rose’s name may be made to the Oregon Area Food Pantry. Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com. Gunderson Oregon Funeral & Cremation Care 1150 Park St. (608) 835-3515