Helen Rita “Kramer” Keeler, 81, of Whiting, Kansas, left this world and went to eternal life on Friday, March 02, 2018 at her home surrounded by family.

She was born August 31, 1936 in Seneca, Kansas, the daughter of Frank and Rose “Buessing” Kramer.

Helen graduated in 1954 from Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic Schools in Seneca, Kansas. She moved to Topeka a few years after graduating from high school, where she worked at Hallmark Cards for approximately 9 years.

Helen was introduced to A.J. “Sonny” Keeler on a blind date in the summer of 1965, attending a Kansas City A’s (now the KC Royals) baseball game. They were united in marriage on July 16, 1966 at Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic Church in Seneca, Kansas. Helen always liked to tell people that Sonny and her had to plan their wedding between wheat and oat harvest. They made their home on a farm in Whiting, Kansas where they raised their four children. Neal (Debbie) Keeler and Brian Keeler both of Whiting, Kansas, Jodi (Brad) Wohletz of Shawnee, Kansas, and Kirk (Diane) Keeler of Wetmore, Kansas.

Helen was a member of St. Leo’s Catholic Church in Horton, Kansas where she was very involved in numerous activities. Some of these included director of religious education for the youth, choir director, and being a lector at mass. She enjoyed being involved in her kids’ activities in the community by being leader of the Whiting Beavers 4-H club, being director of the 4-H concession stands for the Jackson County Fair and for the Whiting Activities Club.

Helen was a selfless person, always willing to give of her time to serve others. Prayer was an important part of her life, and she always made sure that the blessing before meals was said at daily meals as well as at family get togethers. Her hobbies were watching her kids and grandkids play sports, planting a large garden and canning, cooking for her family, watching Wheel of Fortune, and watching her beloved KU Jayhawks play basketball.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her sister Anna May Gore, and brother Regis Kramer.

Survivors include her husband of 51 years, children, two sisters, Dorothy (Larry) Selk of Topeka, Kansas, Sister Rosa Lee Kramer, Daughter of Charity of St. Louis, Missouri, grandchildren Grace, Sam, Isaac, Maggie, and Mia Wohletz, and step grandchildren Janae (Greg) Nilges and Brant Morris, and numerous nieces and nephews.

A rosary will be recited at 6:30 pm on Monday March 5th, 2018 at St. Leo’s Catholic Church in Horton, Kansas where family will greet friends following the rosary. The mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Tuesday March 6th, 2018 at 11 am at St. Leo’s Catholic Church in Horton, Kansas. Burial will be at St. Leo’s Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Helen Keeler memorial fund to be designated later and may be sent in care of Dishon-Maple-Chaney Mortuary, 909 Central Avenue, Horton, Kansas. A special message may be sent to the family at www.dishon-maple-chaney.com.