Kathleen Marie (Paxson) Keller, 75, of Valentine, found eternal joy in her heavenly home November 15, 2024 after a lengthy battle with cancer. She was a devout Christian who prayed for many people in her life and lived her faith daily. Her greatest enjoyment came from being with her family and friends.
Kathy was born July 30, 1949 to Merle and Erma “Trudy” Paxson in Valentine. She was a 1967 graduate of Valentine High, then continued studies at the Lincoln School of Business.
After coming back to Valentine, she worked at the Cherry County Extension office, where she met her husband Robert (Bob) Keller. They raised their three children on the family ranch south of Valentine. After the tragic loss of their first son, Kathy created Touching Hearts Ministry (now Healing Hope Ministries) to provide comfort and connection for mothers who had lost their children. She devoted her life to pointing others back to scripture and to the love of God and to know they too could be sustained and carried through every situation, every season, and every circumstance of life.
Everyone who was blessed to know Kathy, as a wife, mother, sister, grandmother, great-grandmother, or friend knows that she was an avid sports fan; whether watching her kids, grandkids, or the Huskers, she proudly wore all the colors. She also enjoyed word games, jigsaw puzzles, and cards, all of which she played competitively with HER house rules.
She loved spoiling her grandkids, taking them on “adventures” in the trees outside their ranch home, feeding them “the good side of the casserole,” and instilling in them her competitive spirit. Grandma traveled many miles taking grandkids and their friends to weeklong Bible schools each year; along the way they learned lessons in discipleship, commitment, discipline, and sacrifice. Above all these attributes though, was Kathy’s devotion to our Lord and the hours she spent nose deep in her Bible, proven by the fact that there doesn’t seem to be a single page left unmarked.
Kathy spent her last couple of years in Valentine as she and Bob decided to leave the ranch work to the next generation. Kathy did love her town life and was blessed to be more closely surrounded by friends and neighbors with extra activities and sports to attend. They were active in the Methodist Church in Valentine and always kept their faith close, remaining strong and living a full life amidst the pain. We can smile knowing what a blessing she was to so many, that her pain and suffering are gone, she is able to meet our Lord, and reunite with her son once more.
Kathy was preceded in death by her parents, Merle and Erma “Trudy” Paxson; in-laws, Aubrey and Arleeta Keller, and son, Tod Keller.
She is survived by her husband of 53 years, Robert Keller; sister, Jane (Gerald) Grooms; daughter, Amy (Troy) Hanson; son, Shane (Karen) Keller; grandchildren, Braden Hanson, Taylor Hanson, Megan (Jake) Seeley, Ty (Katie) Keller, Jon Keller, Michaela Keller, Bryan (Jenna) Keller, and great-grandkids Clara, Madelyn, Brogan, and Tate Seeley and Ada and Mattie Keller, as well as numerous extended family and friends.
Memorial service for Kathy Keller, was held Friday, November 22, 2024, 11:00 a.m. at the Valentine Methodist church. A graveside service was held Saturday, November 23, 2024, at 11:00 a.m. at the Purdum Cemetery in Purdum.
Mrs. Keller passed away November 15, at her home in Valentine. Memorials may be made to Healing Hope Ministries, formerly known as Touching Hearts Ministries.
Sandoz Chapel of the Pines in Valentine was entrusted with service arrangements.
