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Donella Keller, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, and friend died peacefully on January 14th, 2024, in San Antonio, Texas. She was born on October 21, 1930, to Walter and Marie Olivo in Ada Oklahoma. In 1940, during the West Texas oil boom Donella’s family resettled in Denver City, Texas. Her father provided a good life for Donella, her sister Roberta and brother Bill by opening a machine shop that serviced the oil industry. In 1947, Donella graduated from Denver High School and went on to attend college. In college she met Jack Keller who was also attending college and who was a Navy Veteran of World War II. Donella and Jack were married in 1949. They welcomed their son Brian in 1961 and their son Paul in 1967. The family moved around Texas for a while as Jack moved up the ladder in management for South Western Bell Telephone. In 1969, Donella and her family finally settled in San Antonio. A few years later Jack was diagnosed with lung cancer, and he lost that battle in 1976. Donella then became the rock of her family and went back to work to raise her two boys. She was a gifted seamstress, and she had a head for business, so she purchased a sewing store and later purchased a second store. While Donella was selling machines and teaching classes at her Blanco and West Avenue location she met a fellow shop owner, Joe Fowler and before long Joe joined the family and became an incredible grandfather to the grandchildren. In 1995 Donella sold the store and began working part time helping to create the beautiful gowns for the Royal Fiesta Court. Joe and Donella started attending St. Thomas Episcopal Church and enjoyed a beautiful relationship with other St. Thomas families that included the infamous “Sunday Morning Breakfast Club”. Donella and Joe were also greeters for many years and Donella shared her talents with “Threads of Love.” As a lasting legacy of their love of St. Thomas the Keller family continues to attend St. Thomas. Joe Fowler passed away in 2002. Donella was able to live in her home in Hollywood Park for 50 years and in 2019, she moved into Independence Hill and then to Adante Assisted Living and Memory Care. The team at Adante loved Donella greatly and took amazing care of her. Donella loved spending time with her family. She loved creating and sewing. She loved the Spurs and held season tickets for several years. She also loved her bowling league and played as long as she could. It is Donella’s wishes to be laid to rest next to her husband, Jack, at Mission Park North in a plot they purchased in 1976. Donella is survived by her brother, Bill, and sister, Roberta; and her two sons and their families, Brian Keller and Paul Keller and grandchildren Matthew, Marlayna, Victoria, and Madison. Service will be celebrated at 1:00 p.m., on Thursday, January 25, 2024 at St. Thomas Episcopal Church 1416 N. Loop 1604 East San Antonio, TX 78232 followed by a Reception at the church 1:45 pm - 2:30pm. 2:45pm procession to Mission Burial Park North.

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Donella Keller

October 21, 1930 - January 14, 2024