Eleanor M Keil

Eleanor was born May 6, 1927, in Exeter, Nebraska, to Julian A. Peterson and Maude (Underwood) Peterson. She was raised on the family farm and attended a country school until she graduated from Exeter High School in 1944. She received a teaching certificate and taught at the same country school she had attended in Fillmore County, Nebraska.

On June 28, 1946, she married Lovell L. Keil in Fillmore County, Nebraska. They made their home in Crete, Nebraska, while Lovell attended Doane College. Throughout their lives together they lived in Nebraska, Wyoming and Colorado while Lovell worked for General Motors for 35 years. They also owned two businesses. Eleanor worked at various jobs throughout her life, but loved to cook and bake and sew Teddy bears for family and friends.

They retired to Surprise, Arizona, in 2001. On Dec. 19, 2015, Mr. Keil passed away in Surprise, Arizona, (69 years together) and Eleanor continued living in Surprise until her death.

Eleanor is survived by two daughters, Cheryl (John) Schneidmiller, Buffalo and Mary (Sam) Mayfield, Surprise, Arizona; one son, Jeff (Lisa) Keil, Loveland, Colorado; and five grandchildren, two step-grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.

Eleanor was preceded in death by her parents, one sister and her husband.

Family services will be at a later time.

Arrangements under the direction of Surprise Funeral Care, Surprise, Arizona.