Elsie Luetta Keller

Our loving Mother, Elsie Luetta Keller, 93, of Colby, went to be with the Lord Sunday, January 26th, 2025. She was born in Logan County, Kansas to Fred and Marie (Grauberger) Uhrich on August 18th, 1931. Elsie was one of nine children.

A farming and ranching family with a strong work ethic and close family bonds is where Elsie learned the skill set she would need in her future. She was educated in a one-room schoolhouse and attended Oakley High School, graduating in the class of 1949. In her early twenties she met a tall, handsome man, Benjamin Keller, who proposed to her before leaving to serve his country during the Korean conflict. Upon his return they were married on October 30th, 1955. They made their home east of Mingo, Kansas on the family farm then later (in 1961) they moved to Page City, Kansas. This precious union was blessed with five children, Brenda (Tom) Thompson, Lana (Mike) Johnson, David (Jane) Keller, Leanne (Mike) Dempewolf and Amy (Jack) Patrick. 

Our sweet Mother was THE BEST! She worked tirelessly to feed, clothe, and love us throughout our lives. She took pride in every meal she prepared as it always looked like a work of art. The table was always beautiful, and we sat to eat as a family to learn life lessons. The Immanuel Lutheran Church in Oakley, Kansas was the light for our family weddings, baptisms and all special confirmations. Elsie served on the Logan County Extension Counsel and the Logan Country Executive Board and was a 4-H leader. Elsie was a classy lady with her crisp white shirt and signature popped collar. She owned Legends Ltd., a ladies clothing store in Colby. She was a great farmer’s wife and the wind under our father’s wings. Something you may not know about Elsie is that she became a certified Interior Designer through the Chicago School of Interior Design. Our home was beautiful, and she was so proud to make it our little slice of heaven on earth. Mother put her amazing fingerprint on the beautiful green manicured yard which showcased pink petunias spilling from planter boxes, red geraniums, and rose bushes, making the farm the jewel of Page City. Our home was the gathering place where Mom and Dad hosted many family reunions, friend dinners, political events, grandkid sleepovers, and weddings.

The greatest joy of Elsie’s life was her big family. She was blessed with nine grandchildren and eleven great grandchildren, Jada (Luke) Tubbs and children Liv, Guy, Fia, and Von, Jerad (Brittney) Johnson and children Blakeli, Briggs, Myles, and Marli, Jenna (Andrew) Brunner and children, Dack, Steele, and Bly, Tatum (Woerpel) Borges, Audrey Keller, Chase Keller, Carter (Shelby) Patrick, Page Patrick, and Benjamin Patrick.

Elsie was preceded in death by her parents; her loving husband, Ben; her son, David; son-in-law, Jack Patrick; brothers, George, Walter, and Ralph Uhrich; sisters, Bertha and brother-in-law Glenn Delong, Edna and brother-in-law Clarence Rudell, and Francis and brother-in-law Bud McIntyre.

A Funeral Service will take place at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, January 30, 2025, at the Trinity Lutheran Church, Colby, with a Graveside Service at 2:00 p.m. on the same day at the Oakley City Cemetery, Oakley. Memorials may be made to the Thomas County Community Foundation or the Logan County Community Foundation and sent in care of Baalmann Mortuary, PO Box 391, Colby, KS 67701. For information or condolences visit baalmannmortuary.com