Mary Gretchen Keller
May 29, 1947 ~ January 22, 2011
Keller, Mary “Gretchen”, 63, passed away on Saturday, January 22, 2011. Rosary service 7:30 P.M. Wednesday, January 26, and Funeral Mass 10:00 A.M. Thursday, January 27, both at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church. Gretchen was born May 29, 1947 and grew up in Glenview, IL. Gretchen graduated from Newman University in 1969 with a degree in Elementary Education. She taught at St. Thomas Aquinas, East Heights United Methodist and College Hill United Methodist preschools. She was the recipient of the St. Maria DeMattias Alumni award from Newman in 1992 and was awarded the John Henry Cardinal Newman medal in 2005. In 2007, she served as co-chair of the Dugan Library and Campus Center Capital Campaign. She served as President of Friends of Hospice and as a board member of Harry Hynes Memorial Hospice. Survivors include her husband of 39 years, G. Lawrence, Jr. “Terry”; children, Heather (Michael) Harper, of Olathe; G. Lawrence (Natalie) Keller, III, of Moorpark, CA, Brian Keller, of Wichita, Shaun Keller, of Wichita, and Matthew Keller, of Kabul, Afghanistan; grandchildren, Connor and Lauren Harper, and Victoria Keller. The family requests no flowers and suggests memorials to the Harry Hynes Memorial Hospice, Inc, 313 South Market, Wichita, Kansas, 67202 or the Keller Family Endowed Minority Scholarship Fund c/o Newman University, 3100 West McCormick, Wichita, Kansas, 67213. Downing Lahey Mortuary East.
Rosary Service 7:30 P.M. Wednesday, January 26, at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church
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Please accept our deepest condolences for your family’s loss.
Our heartfelt sympathy to the Keller family during this time. We are so sorry for your loss. You are in our thoughts and prayers. – Juanita Elliott and family
Terry and family, We are so so sorry to hear of Gretchen’s passing. After reading the obituary she certainly had a great impact on the Wichita community. As great as that was I am sure the family even more appreciates the impact she had as wife, mother and grandmother. Our prayers continue for you.
Dear Terry and family….the pain–sorrow and sadness created by the death of wonderful Gretchen is deeply shared at our house…Don and Will Gaylor
My Gretchen..She is my oldest and dearest friend. We played together from the time I was four years old. We had such fun. We would pack a lunch and ride our bikes on all day adventures. We would get down on our knees and pray that her Mother would let her spend the night.Gretchen was with me so much at North Shore Country Club everyone thought she was a member. We had such fun!Grethen is still with me, she is just not here. Gretchens life was her family and she loved you all dearly.
Terry: I want you to know that I am so very sorry for your loss of your beloved Gretchen. She was a very special person to all who were fortunate to be around her and interact with her. I have very fond memories of you and Gretchen as a young couple in Love @ Sacred Heart College. You both were so happy and loving to each other. She was pure class and so are you and all the Keller’s. May you find strength thru God’s love for you in the months and years ahead. My father was always very fond of Gretchen and also gives his sincerest condolences to you and your family. My best to you as you move forward in your life and know Terry I think about you often and the good times we had. May God continue to Bless you. Jim Rheem.
Terry I share your grief in the loss of your loving wife. Please accept my deepest sympathy and condolence. Life will never be the same without her, but with God’s love you and yours will be able to carry on as she would want you to do. Take care and God bless. Shalom,
Terry, Sorry to hear about Gretchen, there is little I can say or do to ease the pain of your loss, except to let you know that you and your family are in my thoughts and prayers. God bless.
TERRY, DEEPLY DISTRESSED AND SADDENED TO HEAR ABOUT GRETCHEN. WHAT A LOVELY AND CHARMING LADY WHOSE PERSONALITY ENLIVENED EVERY ONE WHOM SHE MET. OUR THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS ARE WITH YOU IN THIS DIFFICULT TIME. TED BASSETT
Dear Heather, Larry and Family, I just wanted to let you all know you are in my thoughts and prayers. Your mother was a wonderful women! I hope you will find comfort in knowing that she is in a wonderful place now. Your friend, Jeanine Conrady