Keller, Gladys Maxine, 95, Died August 30, 2018 at her home in Gainesville, FL.
Born January 9, 1923 in Grinnell, IA to Frank H Pearce and Ethel F (Hargreaves) Pearce.
Gladys grew up on a farm in an area known as Westfield. At the North end of the farm was her one room Westfield school house and at the South end stood her beloved Westfield church, which still holds services today.
After 8th grade, Gladys spent a year in California, then returned to Grinnell where she worked as a housekeeper and in child care.
In the family’s farm house on March 28, 1948, she married the love of her life, Francis C. Keller. They celebrated 54 years of marriage together, living in Sigourney, IA since 1951. The Keller’s first attended the First Baptist Church until they joined the Lancaster Christian Church, where Gladys participated in the Ladies Aid Society holding meetings and a bible study in their home. Her gifts from God included love, a pure heart, peacemaker, merciful, hardworking, and an optimist.
Her life motto was faithfully lived out by Ephesians 4:32, often reciting this verse as “Be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving each other.”
She loved the Lord, the farm, children, giving to others, talking, singing, laughing, kindness, flowers, birds, butterflies, poems, cards, letters, board games, ping-pong, campfires, music, family, friends and hugs.
Gladys is preceded in death by her husband Francis, her twin sons, Son; Franklin W. Keller, Parents; Frank and Ethel Pearce, Sisters; Matilda Morrison, Wilma Main, Myrtle Frank and Ethel Mae Morrison, Brothers; William, Loren, Martin and George Pearce, and Grandson; Brian Keller.
She is survived by Daughter; Betty Jo Kondratiev, Granddaughter; Anastassia K. Kondratiev, Grandson; Jeffrey Allen Keller, Great Granddaughter; Hannah Walker (Jeremy), Great Grandson; Christopher Keller, Great Great Grandson; Grayson Walker, Sister-in-law; Lauretta Pearce, Mary Lou Keller, Lenora (Keller) Relf and Mildred (Keller) Conway, along with many, many cousins, nieces, nephews, and wonderful friends.
Betty Jo, Mom and I didn’t know you lost your Mother last year. Mom sometimes doesn’t answer her phone if she doesn’t recognize the number. Mom is now thinking of getting rid of her land line. Her tracfone number is 515-707-3811. She is 97 and still living here with me.
Would love to connect with you. We tried to phone Mary Lou, but her number is disconnected. Please call me or send me an email. My tracfone number is 515-205-4967. My email address is below.