OBITUARY: Lester Roland Keller

Lester Roland Keller, age 88, of Forest Junction, went to be with his Lord on Thursday, July 20, 2017 at Calumet Medical Center in Chilton, Wisconsin.

Lester was born on March 24, 1929 in the township of Holland, Brown County, Wisconsin, son of the late John P. and Adalia (Stanelle) Keller.  He was a graduate of Brillion High School, and then served our country in the United States Army from February 1953 – February 1955, and also served in the Army Reserves until 1957.  On October 18, 1952, he married Mavis E. Ott at Zion United Methodist Church in Forest Junction.  They raised a family with seven children, sharing many wonderful years with them and traveling together.  She preceded him in death on December 7, 1987.  On August 12, 1988, he married Janet E. (Breitrick) Schnell.  They also shared many wonderful years traveling and gardening together before she preceded him in death on December 14, 2011.

In January of 1947, Lester and his brothers took over Keller Implement in Forest Junction, the family business.  Later in life, Lester was a car salesman for Central Garage in Potter.  He also found a calling as the sexton for the Forest Home Cemetery in Forest Junction starting this in 1970.  He was a faithful member of Zion United Methodist Church in Forest Junction, holding various positions over the years.  He was also a Gideon member since 1976 and proud to have helped give out thousands of Bibles. Lester was also a prayer warrior.  Lester was an avid Packer fan, even attending the infamous Ice Bowl in Green Bay.  Lester loved watching the birds, gardening, giving the away the fruits of his labor, and spending time with his family. Many of his friends and family will remember him because of his bountiful harvests of tomatoes, cucumbers, and zucchini.

Lester is survived by six children: Dawn (Dave) VanElzen of Menasha, Jill (Rick) Dowland of Forest Junction, Kandy Keller of Appleton, Lisa (Anthony) Mills of New York, Stacy (Mike) Powell of Forest Junction, and Kyle Keller of Forest Junction; four step-children: Connie (Stephen) Westlake of GA, Mark (Linda) Schnell of Brillion, David (Sue) Schnell of Brillion, and Dan (Diane) Schnell of Bonduel; one step-son-in-law: Kurt McCulloch of West Bend; one step-daughter-in-law: Kay Schnell of Shawano; 18 grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren and two on the way; 19 step-grandchildren; 13 step-great-grandchildren with one on the way; two sisters: Dorothy Bosserman of Oshkosh and Florence Enneper of Brillion, a brother Walter (Lois) Keller of Forest Junction  and one half-brother: Earl (Jean) Keller of CA; nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his step mother: Laura (Schmeiser) Keller, a sister Ruth Keller, a daughter and son-in-law: Kay and John MacDonald, step daughter: Wendy McCulloch, step son: Steve Schnell, one brother: Reuben Keller, one half-brother: Howard Keller, three brothers-in-law: Leonard Seybold, Roy Bosserman, and Walter Enneper, two sisters-in-law: Helen Keller and Kay Keller, two granddaughters: Lindsey MacDonald and Kelsey Hanagan, and one grandson: Cody VanElzen.

Funeral Service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, July 25, 2017 at Zion United Methodist Church in Forest Junction.  The Rev. Rick Andrus and Rev. Sang You will officiate.  Burial will be in Forest Home Cemetery.

Friends may call at the Wieting Funeral Home in Brillion, 215 South Main Street in Brillion on Monday, July 24 from 4:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m.  Visitation will continue on Tuesday at church from 9:00 a.m. until 10:30 a.m.

Online condolences may be made.

In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been established in Lester’s name.

The family would like to thank the Calumet Medical Center staff for making dad comfortable.