Denise M. Keller

Denise Mary Keller, age 74, died peacefully, in the hospice unit of the St. Cloud Hospital on Oct. 6, 2021 after a courageous fight with heart disease.

Denise was born on July 2, 1947 in Owatonna, MN to Lloyd and Cressie (Schmit) Halstrom. She lived most of her life in St. Cloud proudly graduating from Cathedral High School, class of 1965. On June 21^st, 1969, she married the love of her life Joseph Keller. They were blessed with 2 beautiful daughters, Carrie Ahrens and Kristi O’Keefe who felt they were the luckiest to have the most amazing mom who brought them both so much joy! Other than brief moves to New York and Iowa, she remained in St. Cloud where once her girls where in school, she worked in the business office of Dayton’s, Macy’s, and finally Resource Training and Solution. She was also a member and secretary of the St. Rita’s mission group out of the Holy Spirit Parish.

Denise had an amazingly positive personality and sense of humor and she cared deeply for her family and friends. Her greatest joy in life were her four grandchildren, Kenzie, Owen and Keegan O’Keefe and Ava Ahrens. She loved time with them more than anything and she went out of her way to make each holiday, life milestone as special as possible and to be a part of their interests. She made it to so many sporting events and was the most enthusiastic fan. She attended Viola and Choir concerts and loved every minute of it. Kenzie, Owen, Keegan, and Ava, always remember that grandma “loved you to the moon and back”.

Another love and so many amazing memories were the camping adventures and trips to Arizona with our family and friends whom we spent so much quality time with and grew with.

Besides spending time with her family and friends, Denise had a passion and a talent for quilting and knitting. She made the most beautiful quilts, sweaters, hats, mittens and scarves and special gifts for friends and family. She had a wonderful group of friends that she spent countless hours with creating these beautiful pieces of art. Only when Denise was sleeping was Joe able to drive by a quilt or yarn shop without stopping.

Denise will be missed greatly! She touched so many lives with her generous and kind heart!

Denise was preceded in death by her parents, her brother David in 2011, sister-in-law Marilyn Keller in 1990, nephew Dean Wirtzfeld in 1992, brother-in-law Michael Sivinski in 2004, sister-in-law, Ann Sivinski in 2015 and brother-in-law, Jerry Keller in 2019.

She is survived by her husband of 52 years, Joe and their two daughters, Carrie (Curt) Ahrens of St. Cloud and Kristi (Shawn) O’Keefe of Blaine; her four amazing grandchildren, Kenzie, Owen, Keegan, and Ava, her brother Randy (Mary) Halstrom, and sister-in-law Joyce Halstrom. She is also survived by her extended family Helen (Robert) Selisker, John (Pearl) Keller, James (Laura) Keller, Carol (Leon) Wirtzfeld, Carole Keller and many nieces, nephews.

The family would like to thank the doctors and nurses in the ICU unit at the St. Cloud Hospital. Their competence, skill, care and compassion are a model for all.

Family and friends are invited to celebrate & remember Denise on Friday November 12^th, at Christ Church Newman Center. Visitation from 9:00 AM until 11:00 AM with a Funeral Mass at 11:00 AM.

In lieu of flowers and gifts, please consider making a donation to the American Heart Association in Denise’s honor.