A Mass of Christian Burial took place on Tuesday, December 27, 2022 at the St. Mary of Mount Carmel Catholic Church in Long Prairie. Angels called the sweet, gentle, and faith-filled spirit of Elsie Keller, age 98 of Long Prairie, home on December 22nd, 2022 while at CentraCare Hospital in Long Prairie, MN.
Elsie (Schultz) Keller was born on February 1st, 1924, to Emil & Bertha (Klaproth) Schultz – the second of four children born at home in Bruce Township, Todd County, MN. Elsie grew up on their farm and was educated in a one-room country school – District 31. She was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran faith. The Schultz children’s first language was German, with English becoming their secondary language once enrolled in school. Elsie was intelligent and loved to learn, but due to limited family resources, her education halted after completing the 8th grade. In her late teen years, Elsie worked at LP Produce, a grocery store on Main Street. Thus began her favorite pastime, grocery shopping! After the start of WWII, Elsie and a friend moved to California, where they worked at an aircraft assembly plant and put windshields into the B-25 Billy Mitchell Bombers. In due time, Elsie returned to Long Prairie and, in late 1945 after the war, she met her handsome soulmate, Wendelin Keller (a Glencross, SD, native), at a dance in Clotho, they married on April 7th, 1947, at St. Mary’s Rectory. Together, they purchased a 120-acre farm, where they began farming with no electricity and a team of horses.
With a German work ethic, perseverance, excellent farm management skills, and a good farm economy, they prospered and built a beautiful farmstead that provided a home for their 5 children. Elsie and Wendelin, both fluent in German, used their native tongue as “code language,” which would pique the children’s interest! Speaking German came in handy for Elsie when visiting with family over the old “party phone lines.” Elsie was an excellent cook, homemaker, and loved caring for her family and the farm. Elsie’s lifelong frugality and work ethic were a by-product of being a Depression Era child; she could sew, mend, and cook anything from simple resources.
After tirelessly farming for 31 years, they retired and made their new home just north of Long Prairie, where they relished watching winter blizzards and not having to work in them! Once retired, Elsie was thrilled to take adult education classes to receive her high school diploma. Elsie highly valued education, even though she was deprived of one in her childhood. Elsie’s mantra to her children was, “you will have a college education.” Elsie was a lifelong learner, educating herself through books, newspapers, and magazines. Elsie was a prolific gardener and raised a garden until age 98. She loved fresh vegetables, canning, and sharing vegetables and canned goods with family and friends. Elsie always had a sweet spot for her beloved pets and enjoyed watching birds at her feeders. She cherished visiting with family and friends. Elsie had beautiful, perfect penmanship, and enjoyed writing letters to keep in touch with friends and family, near and far (and you better write her back to stay on her good side!) She also enjoyed quilting and embroidery during the winter months.
Elsie’s faith in Christ was a cornerstone of her life, she was a prayer warrior and spent many hours praying a hedge of protection around her loved ones.
Elsie was preceded in death by her husband, Wendelin Keller; her parents, Emil and Bertha Schultz; brothers, Ray (Maxine) Schultz, and Harold (Daisy) Schultz; and son-in-law, Red Hudalla.
Elsie is survived by her children, Lewellyn (Karen) Keller of Detroit Lakes, MN; Timothy Keller of Jackson, MN; Karen Hudalla (Steve Beck) of Browerville, MN; Russell Keller of Nevis, MN; and Kimberly Keller (Darrell Nece) of Fort Worth, TX; 8 grandchildren and 9 great-grandchildren; sister, Mildred Dreher, of Nelson, MN; sister-in-law, Cleopha Keller Moore, of Portland, OR; and many nieces and nephews.
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