Annemarie Keller

Born October 28, 1912, died June 2, 2011. Born Annemarie Johannsen in Husum, Germany to Heinrich and Christine Johannsen. Married Franz Joseph Keppler in 1939 and moved to Hamburg. Son Peter was born in 1941. Franz inducted into the German Army in 1941 and later reported missing in action in 1945. Annemarie and son were forced to move back to Husum in 1943 during the war, where they lived with her parents until coming to the US in 1950. Mother and son came to Penrose, Colorado to live with Annemarie's uncle, Arthur Peterson. Annemarie attended grade school with Peter and learned English. She studied and proudly became a US citizen in 1954. Annemarie remarried in 1955 to Edgar Keller and the family moved to Pueblo. Ed died of complications from the flu in 1968. Annemarie lived in the same house in north Pueblo for over 50 years before a fall and broken hip forced her to move into Belmont Lodge Nursing Home in north Pueblo. The last three months, she had been a resident of Hospice of St John in Lakewood and enjoyed frequent visits from family and friends. Not knowing the language and not sure where she was going, it took a lot of courage to take her 9 year old son, leave home, and travel to the United States. Life in Penrose was hard with no running water, a coal stove, and outdoor toilet. When her second husband died, she decided to learn to drive and became an "Avon Lady" and developed a large clientèle. She made the Avon President's Club more than 10 times. She loved to play Bingo and play the slot machines in Cripple Creek. She was active in the Pueblo German Club for many years and is remembered fondly by many customers and friends. In 2009, Annemarie was nominated by Belmont Lodge Nursing Home as Silver Queen and finished third runner-up at the Colorado Sate Fair Silver Queen Competition. Annemarie is survived by her son, Peter Keppler of Golden, Colorado; three grandsons(Michael Keppler of Longmont, Colorado, David Keppler of Rowe, Massachusetts and Gregory Keppler of Arvada, Colorado) and two great granddaughters(Sierra and Aleah Keppler). Donations can be made to the Hospice of St John, 1320 Everett Court, Lakewood, CO 80215. Arrangements under the direction of Olinger Woods Chapel, Golden, CO.