Janet Ruth (Zucker) Keller

I fear no foe with thee at hand to bless,

ills have no weight, and tears no bitterness.

Where is death's sting? Where, grave, thy victory?

I triumph still, if thou abide with me.

– from the hymn Abide With Me by Henry Francis Lyte

Janet Ruth Zucker Keller (85) slipped into heaven on March 7, 2024, in Bellevue, WA.  Janet was born on August 21, 1938, to August Martin and Ruth Schmidt Zucker in Toledo, OH. She graduated from DeVilbiss High School in 1956 and went on to study Spanish and Education at the University of Toledo. Janet earned her BA in 1960 and her Master of Education degree in 1964. She taught Spanish at Whitmer High School where she also chaired the Foreign Language Department. Many of her students became life-long friends.

A life-long Lutheran, Janet attended Augsburg Lutheran Church, Toledo, which is where she met her future husband, The Rev. Gerald L. Keller, who had recently become the assistant pastor there. They married on June 20, 1969. This began a strong partnership of ministry. Janet and Jerry ministered to Augsburg Lutheran Church, Toledo, OH; Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, Harlan, IN; and Jerusalem Evangelical Lutheran Church, Seville, OH. Together, they visited the homebound and infirm, sharing the love of Jesus and some of Janet’s homemade baked goods.

Janet enjoyed baking, cooking and entertaining. She and Jerry often hosted parties for the church staff and council as well as get-togethers with friends and family. As her children grew older, Janet also substitute taught Spanish at area high schools. She took her love of teaching into the church where she taught Sunday School, Confirmation Classes, and Bible Studies. Janet and Jerry participated in the Kiwanis Club of Wadsworth and Janet enjoyed her time with the Wadsworth Women’s Club. 

Together, Janet and Jerry enjoyed traveling, visiting all 50 states and making several trips overseas with friends. In January 2023, Janet moved to Bellevue, WA, in order to be closer to family. She enjoyed visiting many of the beautiful sights in the area.

Janet is survived by her daughter Linda (Matt) Taggart of Bellevue, WA, her son David (Andrea) Keller of Vienna, VA, and her grandchildren, her four greatest joys – Clara, Joseph, Katharine, and Christopher.

A funeral service for Janet will be held on April 6, 2024, at 11AM at Jerusalem Evangelical Lutheran Church, 9282 Acme Road, Seville, OH. Lunch will follow. 

The family suggests memorials be donated to Jerusalem Evangelical Lutheran Church, 9282 Acme Road, Seville, OH.

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