Betty Jacqueline Keller

Betty Jacqueline Leathers was born April 24, 1930, in Fairfield, Iowa and passed away Friday, March 17, 2023, at her home. She was the daughter of Glenn and Rebba Keeler Leathers.  Her parents moved to the farm when Betty was two years old.  She attended country school and graduated from Fairfield High School with the class of 1947.  Betty attended Parsons College and taught at country schools in Jefferson and Washington counties.

In 1950, Betty the Homecoming Queen, married Bob Keller the Fairfield High School Quarterback, and “Our life of 71 years together was a journey of sweetness and sorrow, memories of yesterday and hopes for tomorrow. Through our journey we had many people who touched our lives in ways that we never forgot.  When we were married about two years, we accepted the Lord into our lives and joined the Nazarene Church.”  Betty’s favorite Bible verse was Deuteronomy 31:8- “And the Lord, he it is that doth go before thee, he will not fail thee, neither forsake thee, fear not, neither be dismayed.”

Betty loved antique things and wanted to learn how to use them.  She learned to spin on her own spinning wheel, learned to cane chairs and to quilt, refinish furniture, make baskets and to paint.  Most of all Betty loved to paint pictures of the weathered old Iowa barns and houses, complete with the quail in the fence rows. 

She is survived by her children Sue and husband Lynn Pitts, Bob Keller and wife Sherri, Kirk Keller and wife Ramona.  There are many beloved grandchildren and great grandchildren.  Family was especially important to her, and Grandma Betty was famous for her homemade bread and chocolate chip cookies.

Betty Leathers Keller was preceded in death by her husband, Bob, parents Glenn and Rebba Leathers, brother Bill Leathers, sister Pat Frieburg, and son-in-law Warren Moore.

Memorials in her honor may be made to the EveryStep Hospice, Mt. Pleasant or to the Nazarene Church, Fairfield.

Arrangements are with Behner Funeral Home, Fairfield on Monday, March 27, 2023.  Public visitation will be from 12:00 to 2:00 followed by a private family service.

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