Janet Louisa Otter Keleher

Janet Louisa Otter Keleher was born on a farm in Clark County, SD. Her mother,Millie Madison Otter, moved the family back to her home town of Alexandria after Janet's father died when Janet was a small girl. Janet was living in Minneapolis and attending business college when she enlisted in the Navy as soon as they began to accept women during WWII. She served in the Navy, working in Washington DC from 1943 until 1945, when the war ended. During this time, she met Joseph Keleher "GI Joe" on the train from Washington, DC to St.Paul, MN and they were married in 1945 in Clearwater, Florida where Joe continued to serve in the USAAF. They moved back to Minnesota in 1946 before Kathy, the oldest of the seven children was born. Paul was born in 1948. Janet and Joe both attended the University of Minnesota on the GI Bill until 1950, when Janet left school after the birth of their third child, Lou Ann. The family lived in southwestern Minnesota from 1951 to 1958, where Joe taught high school in Brewster and Cottonwood. In 1954 Maria was born and in 1955 Patrick was born. In 1958, they moved back to St. Paul, where the two youngest children, Frances and Al, were born. Joe and Janet bought and moved into their house at 4 Ludlow in 1960. There, Janet raised their 7 children and helped raise the oldest two grandchildren, Paul and Kerry Keleher. She worked with the HeadStart program in St.Paul. Janet was always very proud of her military service in the Navy and helped found Women Veterans of Minnesota group, with whom she was active until her death. Janet was in the first Master Gardener training program through the University of Minnesota Extension Service at the St.Paul campus. Janet and Joe volunteered as Master Gardeners at many different places, including the House Of Faith Nursery School, during and after when their granddaughter, Caitlin, was a student there. Janet also volunteered at Como Park Conservatory and Japanese Garden. Joe died in 2005 and in 2007 Janet moved to Lauderdale with Al, her youngest child. Janet and Joe were longtime members of the St. Anthony Park Leisure Center at St. Anthony Park United Methodist Church where they enjoyed lunch, crafts and social activities every Wednesday. Janet became a regular at the St Anthony Park Area Seniors exercise classes in the last decade of her life, enjoying attending classes with her daughters Lou Ann and Maria and daughter-in-law Barb. Janet had a lively and original mind, said what she thought at all times and held on tightly to her large family and to life until the very end. Janet died peacefully at almost 97 years old, living independently until 8 weeks ago. Janet is survived by her seven children: Kathy (Tom Kurz), Paul (Barb), Lou Ann (Greg Tromiczak), Maria, Patrick (Suzy), Frances (Andy Kantar) and Al. Eleven grandchildren: Paul, Kerry Ely (Shawn), Alison, Caitlin Tromiczak, Sally Kantar, Max Kantar, Emily Kantar, Daniel Kurz, Krista, Joseph (Janelle) and Kira. Five great grandchildren: Mason Ely, Parker Ely, Siena Ely, Cadyn and Jolie. The family would like to thank all the wonderful caregivers at Lyngblomsten and the Health Partners Hospice program. Funeral service 11AM Thursday, March 3 (visitation begins at 10AM) at ST ANTHONY PARK UNITED METHODIST, 2200 Hillside Ave. at Como, St. Paul. Interment Fort Snelling.

Tributes

Janet Louisa Otter Keleher

April 25, 1919 - February 27, 2016

Tributes

Janet Louisa Otter Keleher

April 25, 1919 - February 27, 2016

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