Nora Jean Keller was born April 29,1941 at St. Anthony Hospital in Hays, Kansas to Joseph and Margaret (Ruder) Wiesner. She was affectionately known as "Jeannie" by her family. Nora passed peacefully surrounded by her family January 29, 2025 at St. Catherine Hospital in Garden City, Kansas at the age of 83.
One of ten children, her early childhood was spent between the family farm near Ellis, Kansas and their family home in town. She attended St. Mary's School graduating the 8th grade in 1955 and Ellis High School in 1959. Nora worked as a nanny in Denver, Colorado to pay for her education at the Denver Business College, graduating with secretarial skills that would last a lifetime.
She returned to Ellis and married Al Keller on October 22, 1960. They were married for 56 years and raised three children together.
Nora was employed as a typist for local doctors, FHSU professors and historians in Ellis County.
As a young family they moved to Emmett, Kansas in 1967 and lived in areas that provided garden space and apple orchards. Growing children and gardens kept her busy as a homemaker; she loved sewing and canning tomatoes, applesauce and her famous dill pickles.
In 1969 they moved to Garden City where they remained.
Nora worked in the water well industry as a secretary and bookkeeper for Peerless Pump, Inc. and Minter-Wilson Drilling, Inc. for over 40 years. She also kept books for Al's oil business, Texas Refinery Corp. Nora was involved in her children's favorite sport, softball. and enjoyed traveling with her husband. Together they vacationed in Mexico, Hawaii, and many other parts of the U.S.
She was a member of St. Mary Catholic Church in Garden City, where she volunteered in the rectory office.
Her hobbies included playing cards and Bingo, crocheting, puzzles, baking, gardening, pulling weeds and listening to Elvis. She also spent hours playing and singing with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren and supporting their activities. They were her sunshine.
Nora is survived by her daughter Connie (Michael) Hoffman of Garden City, KS and sons Mitchell Keller of Hays, KS and Michael Keller of Garden City, KS.
She was the proud grandmother of seven grandchildren, Audra (Jared) Bogard, Lansing, Kelsi (Jeremy) Pfannenstiel, Hays. Adam (Misha) Hoffman, Holcomb, Justin (Joy) Keller, Tokyo, Japan, Jason (Natalie) Keller, Olathe, Michael (Melanie) Garrison, Garden City and John Snyder, Lawrence. As well as fourteen great-grandchildren; Laine, Maya, Ethan, Halle, Miden, Ace, Danika, Sabina, Jace, Jordy, Sloane, Rori, Wyatt, Willow and one on the way.
Her surviving siblings are Mary Frances Bauer, James (Gwen) Wiesner, Tom Wiesner, Laura Mae (Bernie) Schoenberger, Bernie (Mary Alice) Wiesner, Gregory Wiesner, and Kathy Wiesner. and many nieces and nephews.
Nora is preceded in death by her husband Al who died on July 4, 2016. She is also preceded in death by her parents; two brothers, Leonard Wiesner and Harold Wiesner and a daughter in-law Susan Snyder.
Nora will be remembered for her quick wit, memorable laugh and resilient strength. Nora's faith led her to be gentle, kind and forgiving. She looked for good, the sunshine and beauty, and lived in the moment.
A graveside service and interment will take place at 12:00 pm April 26, 2025 in Mt. Hope Cemetery, of Ellis, Kansas.
The family suggests memorials to St. Mary Catholic Church-Blueprint for our Future or ABC Pregnancy Care, both in care of the funeral home.