Karla Kay Keller

Karla Kay (Schoenewe) Keller, 66, of Crystal Lake, died Friday, July 27, 2007, her birthday, at home after a valiant seven-year battle with cancer. She was born July 27, 1941, in Spencer, Iowa, to the late Henry and Hilda Schoenewe. She grew up in Everly, Iowa, and was a proud alumna of the Everly High School Cattlefeeders. She later attended Drake University in Des Moines and graduated in 1963 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in education. While at Drake University, she was a member of the Delta Gamma sorority. After graduating from Drake, Karla moved to Illinois to begin her 29- plus years of teaching. She taught for brief periods in Harvey and Elmhurst, then moved to Crystal Lake to begin teaching seventh-grade biology and science at Lundahl Junior High. She retired from teaching in spring 1992. Always the student and teacher, she spent much of her time tutoring and traveling after retirement. She vacationed frequently with her sister, Audrey, to Ohio, Florida, California, and most memorably, to Lake Okoboji, Iowa. While in Crystal Lake, she was very involved with the senior citizens group of Home State Bank, going on various trips including a cruise along the East Coast and a trip to Las Vegas. She also enjoyed accompanying the senior citizens to local movies and shows. She also was a board member of her condominium association for two years. After being diagnosed with cancer in, Karla became very active in the American Cancer Society's cancer walks. Her interests included being a loyal and diehard Chicago Bulls, Bears and Cubs fan. She also played the French horn and had a great interest in music. Finally, she also served as her extended family's "Memory" as she loved to write daily in her journal and often referenced details that her family wanted to recollect. Her consistent, genuine notes and cards to family and friends always were treasured gifts to all. She is survived by her sister, Audrey Schoenewe Osborne of Chardon, Ohio, who was instrumentally supportive throughout her battle with cancer; her nephews, David A. Osborne Jr. of Oakwood, Ohio, Rick Osborne of Lunenberg, Mass., and Jim Osborne of Chardon, Ohio; and a niece, Ann Osborne of Pacifica, California.

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