Marie Anna Keller

Marie Anna Keller, 95, joined the heavenly chorus on Monday, January 20, 2025, singing up until her passing. Marie was born on December 30, 1929, to George and Alice Woltmann, in Lutherville, Arkansas, the oldest and only daughter of 5. The family moved to Ohio when she was 12. She was confirmed on April 12, 1943, at Zion Lutheran Church in Napoleon, Ohio with the verse John 15:5. Marie graduated from Ridgeville Corners High School in the Class of 1948.

She met her lifelong cheerleader and husband Donald Carl Keller at Walther League, and they married on May 18, 1952. They moved into the house they built in Toledo in 1958, where they raised their three children. Marie was the Trinity Lutheran School (Toledo) secretary for many years, while her daughters taught and her grandchildren attended school there. She was a faithful churchgoer and devoted countless Thursday nights to choir practice. 

Preceding her in death was her husband Don, and her brothers Marvin, Walter, and Lawrence Woltmann. 

Marie is survived by her youngest brother Eugene Woltmann; her children Karen Shirley (m. Frank Shirley), Mark Keller (m. Donna Wright), and Kathy Keller (m. Virginia Borrusch); grandchildren Heather Bierlein (m. Christopher Bierlein), Ryan Shirley (m. Rebekah Ellis), Michelle Debo Keller (m. Thomas Debo), Kristine Keller (m. Bradley Rupp), Charlotte Keller, David Kwyer and his partner Sierra Webb, Michael Kwyer (m. Carmen Mirea); and great grandchildren Eva and Ruben Bierlein; and Matthew, Noah, and Lydia Shirley.

Marie will be remembered through the beautiful, personalized quilts she handmade for her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. She will be honored with humor, in the essence of her practical jokes and her sharp wit. Finally, she will be celebrated by family, with her full and joyous life as a blueprint for us all.

Friends may call at the Walter Funeral Home, 4653 Glendale Ave., Toledo on Friday, January 24, 2025 from 2-8 PM. Funeral services will be held at Trinity Lutheran Church, 4560 Glendale Ave. Saturday at 10 AM. Entombment will follow at Highland Memory Gardens in Waterville. Those planning an expression of sympathy are asked to consider Trinity Church or Hospice of Northwest Ohio.