Ann Keller, 96, of Columbus, NE, passed away on Thursday, April 30, 2020, at Cottonwood Assisted Living facility in Columbus where she received loving care. Services will be held at a later date to be announced.

Ann, christened Annie Marie Foster, was born on January 7, 1924, in Valentine, NE at the McAlvey Maternity Home to George and Laura (Tillson) Foster. She grew up on the family farm and ranch east of Valentine. Ann attended Kewanee Grade School, Sparks High School and graduated from Valentine High School.

Ann married Joe Keller, the love of her life, on July 28, 1942, in the Army base chapel at Fort Riley Kansas. The couple enjoyed 55 years and 10 months of life together. To this union, seven children were born. The Kellers farmed west of Spencer, NE, where they raised their family and belonged to St. Mary's Catholic Church. They moved to O'Neill, NE in 1989, upon retirement. Joe passed away on May 11, 1998. Before moving to Columbus, Ann was a member of St. Patrick's Church and Altar Society, Catholic Daughters of the Americas St. Michael Court # 697 and was a St. Francis Associate - all in O'Neill, NE.

Those left to honor her memory are her children, Carole (George Swanson) Ellermeier, Geneva, IL; Susan (John) Quinlan, Sioux City, IA; Nick (Rose) Keller, Spencer, NE; Kathleen (Randy) Meyer, Omaha, NE; Mary Jo (Tom) Widdowson, Kearney, NE; Patricia (Scott) Mueller, Columbus, NE; and Janet (Mike) Dent, Tullahoma, TN.; grandchildren, Todd, Jason, Chad, Heather, Nicole, Rebecca, Brooke, Kevin, Nathan, Stacy, Andrew, Brandon, Jordan, Rachel, Tim and Laura; and great-grandchildren Brendan, Ava, Ethan, Sadie, Theo, Jacob, Aubrie, Reagan, Beckham, Sawyer, Lachlan, Lucy, Hendrix, Kennedy, Jack, Daphne, Charlie, Lucy, Brooke, Lauren, and Michael. Ann became a second mother to Joe's three youngest siblings when their own mother died. She will be remembered fondly by Bertha Jean Forst and John Connot. Their older sister, Mina Keller is deceased.

Ann was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Joe; grandson, Bradley; brothers, Theodore, David (Iva), Willard (Florence), Henry (Jean) and John (Verna) and by her sisters, Florence (Allen) Crawford, Doris (Andy) Kramer, and Bertha Rose (Wendell) Biltoft, and her son-in-law, Jim Ellermeier.

Ann was blessed with an outstanding husband in Joe, seven wonderful and loving children, their spouses and families and a life of farm living.

Memorials may be made to St. Mary's Altar Society, Box 8, Butte NE 68722.