Mary Margaret (Magers) Keeler, 96, of Kimball, was called home to meet her Savior on Sunday afternoon, August 28, 2016. A graveside service at the Kimball Cemetery will be held at 9:30 a.m. on Friday, September 2nd. The memorial service to celebrate Mary's life will follow at the Cantrell Funeral Home at 10:30 a.m. with Pastor Mel Daves officiating. The family requests those attending wear bright colors, fun jewelry and a smile. Friends may call at the funeral home on Thursday from 1:00 until 7:00 p.m. with the family present to greet friends from 6:00 until 7:00 p.m. Friends may visit http://www.cantrellfh.com to view Mary's Tribute wall and leave condolences for the family. Memorials may be made to Mary's loved retirement community, "Vista Villa", to be used for gardening and landscaping. The services for Mary have been entrusted to the Cantrell Funeral Home.
Mary Margaret was born to Jesse E. and Cora B. (Baker) Magers on May 28, 1920, in St. John, Kansas. Mary had a happy childhood growing up in St. John with her brothers, sisters and cousins. On August 29, 1936, she married her knight in shining armor, Glenn Virgil Keeler; they were both just 16 years old. They went on to have a wonderful marriage of 63 years and demonstrated their love and devotion to one another through sickness and in health, sharing a lasting bond that was a wonderful example to family and friends. They were proud parents of two sons; Stanley Glenn (1937-2016) and Kim Virgil (1958). Mary and Glenn moved to western Nebraska in the early 1960s and had made Kimball their home since 1964. Although they missed family in Kansas, they made many treasured and lasting friendships in this area. Mary never met a stranger and to know her was simply to love her. Mary's primary passion in life was making a beautiful and happy home for her family, which was often a gathering place for friends and neighbors. Mary and Glenn also had some fun and unique sideline ventures such as owning a roller-rink and a café in their younger years. Mary loved recalling memories of pair-skating with Glenn, teaching kids to skate and visiting with the regulars at the café. Mary loved many things in life; God and her church (First Baptist Church of Kimball), socializing with her coffee and bridge groups, cooking and baking, loving, spoiling and encouraging her grandchildren, and visiting with everyone she met. Mary simply loved people, all people, whether recent acquaintances or long-time friends. Those who knew her best will remember Mary for her attention to style (from her hair and makeup to her jewelry and shoes), her easy sense of humor, her warm heart, sparkling brown eyes and her lemon meringue pies.
She is survived by Kim and Jodi Keeler (Kimball), Mrs. Stanley (Barbara) Keeler (Worland, WY), grandchildren Shannon Keeler (Worland, WY), Grant Keeler (Lincoln, NE), Janelle Keeler (Fort Collins, CO), Lindsey and Luke Maas (Kimball), great-granddaughters Taylor and Makayla Fulfer and Brynn Maas and close family friends, Pat and Cathy Sibal (Kimball). She was preceded in death by her parents, siblings and three beloved men in her life: Glenn, son Stanley, and grandson Scott.