Else Jofrid Keil, 88, of Colby, received her gift of eternal life on
Monday, January 3, 2022, at Citizens Medical Center, Colby, KS. She was
born May 26, 1933, in Stavanger, Norway, to Berge and Inger Serine
(Vestre) Bertelsen.
Else was baptized in the faith June 23, 1933, and a lifelong member of
the Lutheran Church. She was a member of LWML (Lutheran Women’s
Missionary League) for more than 50 years. She served at church,
assisted with Girl Scouts and stayed involved with all of her kids’ and
grandkids’ activities.
Else grew up in Norway during the time Germany occupied the country.
Watching the German Army march through the streets of her hometown at 7
years of age, she told her mother that she was moving to the United
States when she was older. That came true at the age of 21, when she
fell in love with Marvin Keil, a U.S. Air Force communications
specialist. They married on June 5, 1954, at St. Petri Lutheran Church
in Stavanger, Norway, and moved to England before leaving for the U.S.
After arriving in America, Else and Marvin started a family, living in
Russell, Hays, Concordia, and Stockton. In 1965 they moved to Colby
where they resided for the rest of their lives.
Else was a homemaker for many years until she started working as a cook
and baker for the Colby Middle and High Schools. She was best known for
the delicious cinnamon rolls. Else was a talented seamstress, skilled
in needlework, crocheting, knitting, painting and woodworking. Over the
years she has given away 100’s of projects that her family and friends
treasure. Her last project was a crocheted 5’ x 4’ wall hanging of The
Lord’s Prayer which is on display at Salem Lutheran Church in
Taylorsville, NC.
Else was one of those gifted people who made friends out of strangers.
She loved to travel with her family and met many people along the way.
Family gatherings always included playing games and her family knew her
as a strong competitor and gracious loser. She was one of the most
selfless people, doing what was best to serve her family and others.
She had several health struggles over the past couple of years, but she
faced adversity with steady grace and tenacity with faith in God to see
her through.
Else was preceded in death by her husband of 63 years, Marvin Keil; her
parents; siblings, Arne Bertelsen, Berit Karlsen and Ragnhild Wathne;
and sons-in-law, Jim Spain and Don O’Briant.
She is survived by her children: Susan Spain (Scott Stone), Manhattan,
KS; Sharon O’Briant, Brandon, MS; Mary (Tom) Shoaff, Colby, KS; and
Martin (Angie) Keil, Brandon, MS. Sibling: Oda Lund, Hafrsfjord,
Norway; thirteen grandchildren, twenty-two great-grandchildren and one
great-great grandchild along with other relatives in the U.S. and
Norway.
Visitation is Thursday, January 6, 2022, from 5-7:00 p.m. at Baalmann
Mortuary, Colby. Funeral Service is Friday, January 7, 2022, at 10:30
a.m., Trinity Lutheran Church, Colby, with burial to follow in Beulah
Cemetery.
Memorials are suggested to Trinity Lutheran Church or Pioneer Memorial Library for Large Print Books in care of Baalmann Mortuary, PO Box 391, Colby, KS 67701. For condolences or information visit www.baalmannmortuary.com