Edna “Jean”‘s Obituary Edna Jean Fuehring was born on October 3, 1928, in Seward, to Bertha (Abele) and Edgar Fuehring and passed away on February 1, 2019, in Seward. She was named after her Aunt Edna Hentzen, but was called Jean by family and friends. She grew up on a farm southwest of Seward.
Jean graduated from Seward High School in 1945. She took Normal Training in high school in preparation for teaching school. Jean began teaching at the age of 16 and taught in country school for three years.
She attended summer school at the University of Nebraska to further her teaching skills. In 1947, her brother Dale’s best friend, Harold Keller, returned from military service. Soon a romance began between Jean and Harold.
They were married on June 6, 1948. Jean and Shirley Swanson Herrold shared bridesmaids dresses and the Herrolds and the Kellers were lifelong friends. Jean and Harold lived on a farm northwest of Seward, later called the Missile Base Place.
Harold and his dad remodeled the house and built a dairy barn there. Beverly was born during the famous March, 1950 snowstorm. The family moved to Harold’s parents’ farm home southwest of Seward in 1956.
That year Karen Kay Luedtke came to stay with the Kellers for a short visit. Karen and Bev got along wonderfully. After a few years Karen would come for the whole summer and for school vacations.
Jean considered Karen her foster daughter and loved her and her family. In 1978, Jean and Harold convinced Harold’s cousin, Lee Imig and family, to return to Nebraska and join in the farming operation. When Harold passed away in 1981, Lee continued the farm operation without Harold’s expert help but with Jean’s helpfulness.
The Keller family attended the Evangelical and Reformed Church, later named Friedens UCC, in Goehner. Jean taught Sunday school, Bible school, and was an officer for the Women’s Fellowship. Her church family meant a great deal to Jean.
The Goehner Grange, #371, was an important part of the Kellers’ life. Jean won numerous awards for her seamstress skills. She won first prize more than once in state competitions and placed second nationally one year just behind her good friend, Lois Eberspacher.
Jean enjoyed being a part of The Country Women’s Club for more than 60 years. The lifelong friendships, interesting programs and short trips were memories she cherished. Jean and Harold hosted numerous international visitors from around the world as well as traveling overseas many times.
The Charles Bawdon family, from the Isle of Wight, became life long friends. After Harold passed away, Jean traveled with Bev’s family, Karen’s family and her sisters, Maxine and Janet. Interesting Elderhostel trips gave her the chance to see and enjoy many of the places she enjoyed reading about.
The Friendship Force trip she took with Florence Amos to Cartagena, Columbia, and down the Amazon River provided truly special memories. Reading, scrabble, bridge, cribbage and pitch were all past times that Jean enjoyed and excelled at…just ask any of her opponents! Pastor Dallas Bird and his wife , Betty, taught Jean how to play Mahjong which she found challenging and fun.
Jean was preceded in death by her parents, Bertha and Edgar Fuehring; her husband, Harold Keller; brother, Dale Fuehring. She is survived by her daughter, Beverly and husband, Milton Kennedy; her grandchildren, Christian and Ashlye Kennedy and their children, Max and Julia, Jeffrey and Kathleen Kennedy and their children, Liam, Isaac and Ryan; her sisters, Maxine Johnson and Janet Temple. She is also survived by her foster daughter, Karen Miserez and her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren, as well as many nieces and nephews.
To this obituary we add our thoughts, prayers and memories of life shared with Jean.
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