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Hazel Keller, age 93, of Savannah, Tenn., mother of former Sturgis resident Karen Ruhlig and mother-in-law of former Trinity Lutheran Church pastor the late Rev. Erwin A. Ruhlig, received her crown of glory Thursday, June 2, 2011, in Savannah.
She was born June 28, 1917, in Blissfield, a daughter of the late Hermann August and Marie Ida (Bachendahl) Kittner.
On Nov. 13, 1937, she was united in marriage to Vernon Keller who preceded her in death on April 13, 2007. She was married to Vernon for 69 ½ years.
She was a homemaker, beloved wife, mother and grandmother. Mrs. Keller was a longtime member of Faith Lutheran Church in Eustis, Fla.
She was a former resident of Asheville, N.C., Holiday, Fla., and Ann Arbor.
Mrs. Keller trusted in her eternal salvation through her redemption through Jesus Christ.
She is survived by two daughters, Karen Ruhlig of Athens, Ill. and Patricia Murphy of Adamsville, Tenn.; seven grandchildren, Steven Ruhlig, Sharon Murphy-Nelson, Michael Ruhlig, Beth Fosse, Susan Murphy, Clifford Murphy and Sarah Dunnagan; 15 treasured great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; twin brother, Harold Kittner; two sisters, Mildred Valassis and Ethel Kemp; son-in-law, the Rev. Erwin A. Ruhlig; and one grandson, Daniel James Ruhlig.
In accordance with Mrs. Keller’s wishes, cremation has taken place. A memorial graveside service and burial of the ashes will take at 2 p.m. Saturday at Sturgis Memorial Gardens in Sturgis. The Rev. Calvin Kolzow of Trinity Lutheran Church in Sturgis will officiate.
The Hackman Family Funeral Homes – Hackman Chapel, 114 S. Nottawa St., Sturgis, is entrusted with the local arrangements.
The family suggests those wishing to make a memorial donation in Mrs. Keller’s memory consider Lutheran Women’s Missionary League, P.O. Box 411993, St. Louis, MO 63141-1993 or Ongoing Ambassadors for Christ, P.O. Box 174, Nokomis, IL 62075.
Her obituary is also at www.hackmanfamilyfuneralhome.com, where personal messages of support may be left for the family.
