Lora Jean Keller

Lora Jean Keller, 54, of Goodhue passed away unexpectedly Friday, September 8, 2023 at St. Mary’s Hospital in Rochester.

Lora was born May 7, 1969 in Winona, MN to Larry and Jane (Jacobson) Linse. Lora grew up in Lake City and graduated from Lincoln High School in 1987. She attended UW-Stout for Home Economics Educational Services and graduated in 1991. After graduation Lora first taught for Mount Iron-Buhl public school as a home economics teacher for one year, then for Sparta High School for two years. Lora met her future husband, Theodore Keller, at a local wedding dance in the summer of 1992. They were married on April 9, 1994 at Bethany Lutheran Church in Lake City. Ted and Lora were married for 29 years and blessed with nine children and raised them on their family dairy farm near Bellechester. 

Lora began teaching for the Reading Center in 2006, becoming certified through the Orton Gillingham Academy. She became a master teacher for basic and advanced training Institutes at the Reading Center in 2017. She trained over 100 new teachers and tutored 67 students throughout multiple states and countries. Lora also taught countless other students in her surrounding communities. Lora held many crucial roles through her 17 years of employment at the Reading Center as a clinical supervisor, placement coordinator, Bright Futures campaign chair, and Best of Basic summer school instructor. Her passion was teaching students with dyslexia to read, write, and spell and by doing so changed and inspired lives every day. 

When Lora was not tutoring, she could be found supporting each of her nine children in their own unique adventures. She cherished the little moments, especially by bringing her children together with faith, hope, and love. Lora had numerous hobbies including sewing, embroidery, quilting, baking, cooking and shared these with her children. Instead of taking family vacations when the children were younger, family outings consisted of county fairs, town festivals, and parades.  She volunteered her time at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Bellechester by making baby baptismal quilts and homemade pies for fundraisers.  She poured herself into those around her and welcomed any person into her home as if they were her own. She was the most humble, selfless, and positive person with a goal to raise a strong and hardworking family with her husband.

Lora was survived by her husband Theodore, nine children Nicholas (Kimberly) Keller of Bellechester, Samantha (Taylor) Dowden of Bellechester, Juliann (Lucas) Nordrum of Hastings, Jeremy, Catherine, Allison, Elizabeth, Zachary, and Daniel; four grandchildren Willow, Lilly, Brady, and Adrian; parents Larry and Jane Linse of Modena, WI; sister Dana Boettecher of Hudson, WI; brother, Tim (Tena) Linse of Vesper, WI; brother and sister-in-laws Sara Linse of Modena, WI, Fred (Peggy) Keller of Lake City, Ray (Beth) Keller of Lake City, Rose Keller of Brooklyn Center, John Keller of Wanamingo, Helen (Thad) Gabara of New Providence NJ, Henry Keller of Oak Center, Ann (Ron) Rotondo of Coon Rapids. 

Lora was preceded in death by her brother Jon Linse, brother-in-laws Greg Boettcher and Michael Keller; sister-in-law Beth Keller; father and mother-in-law; Raymond and LaWanda Keller; nephew Josh Keller. 

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Thursday, September 14, 2023 at 11:00 AM at St. Mary’s Catholic Church of Bellechester, MN with Father Thomas McCabe officiating and Father Randal Kasel concelebrating. Burial will be in St. Mary’s Cemetery. Visitation will be Wednesday from 3:00 PM to 8:00 PM at the Mahn Family Funeral Home Anderson-Peterson Chapel in Lake City and one hour prior to Mass at the Church. Online condolences may be made at www.mahnfamilyfuneralhome.com.

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