Starla J. Keller Battle Creek, Michigan Obituary

Starla J. Keller

<p>Starla J. Keller, 57 of Battle Creek, died on Tuesday, October 26, 2021, at her home surrounded by her family following a long illness.</p> <p>Starla was born August 9, 1964, in Liberal, Kansas to Leroy M. and Jean A. (Bronemann) Grimm.&nbsp; She graduated from Litchfield High School and went on to Lake Superior State University graduating as a Registered Nurse.&nbsp; She later went back to get her master&rsquo;s degree from Western Michigan University in Social Work. On July 9, 1988, she married Paul A. Keller at Saint Anthony&rsquo;s Catholic Church in Hillsdale.</p> <p>Starla had been working as a social worker for the Veteran&rsquo;s Affairs Medical Center in Battle Creek for the past 29 &frac12; years. Prior to that, she was a pediatric nurse for a short time at Hillsdale Hospital. Starla was a member of the Saint Joseph Catholic Church where she helped with CCD. She also was a member of the National Association of Social Workers.&nbsp; Starla enjoyed traveling, her trip to Italy with Saint Phillip Catholic Church group, and training with her daughter and son-in-law for many 5k races.&nbsp; She along with her husband Paul, loved gardening, traveling, and visiting arboretums. Starla had a joy for life and will be remembered for her humor, jokes, and love for adventure.</p> <p>She is survived by her husband Paul; her daughter Lindsey (Dennis) Casey III; stepdaughter Sara Keller; one grandchild, Jase Casey; her mother Jean Grimm; siblings Mark (Khristina) Grimm and Jeff Grimm.&nbsp; She was preceded in death by her father Leroy Grimm, and sister, Terry Lynn Grimm.</p> <p>Visitation will take place from 1-3pm on Sunday October 31, 2021, at the Kempf Family Funeral and Cremation Services 2838 Capital Ave SW Battle Creek MI 49015. Memorial contributions are requested to the Humane Society of Southcentral Michigan, 2500 Watkins Rd, Battle Creek, MI 49015 (<a href="https://hsscm.org/">https://hsscm.org/</a>) &nbsp;or to Veterans of Foreign Wars 406 W. 34th Street<br /> Kansas City, Missouri 64111 (<a href="https://www.vfw.org/">https://www.vfw.org</a>) . Leave a personal message for the family and sign the online guestbook at <a href="https://www.kempffuneralhome.com/">https://www.kempffuneralhome.com</a></p> <p>&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>
August 9, 1964 - October 26, 202108/09/196410/26/2021
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Linda Kriegbaum
April 15, 2022
Having move away to another state I had not seen Starla since 2009. I just today heard of her passing (4/15/2022), It was by accident that my husband Roger saw her obituary. I was stunned and my heart very saddened. For over ten years Starla worked side by side with me a... Continue Reading
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Deborah Hudson
November 4, 2021
So sorry for your loss! Starla was a beautiful person. She helped my father many times over the years before he passed. She had such a warm heart and cared so deeply for the Veterans! What an Angel!
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Mary M Sossong
November 1, 2021
I met Starla when she married my nephew, Paul Keller [my sister, Caryl Keller's son]; we've seen each other only a few times - weddings, holidays, a small summer reunion in 2019 - and I've always cherished her positive outlook on life: her joy in a trip for ice cream con... Continue Reading
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David Irvine
November 1, 2021
Starla and I started at the VA around the same time. It was always a pleasure to interact with her and I always enjoyed her smile and laugh! Rest in peace and our thoughts and prayers are with her family and friends.
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Kathleen R Bennett
October 31, 2021
Starla was such an amazingly kind perso that truly went out of her way for everyone she knew. She will truly be missed! Thanks "STELLA" for everything!
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Katie Voshel Butler
October 31, 2021
Starla was such an amazing person and dedicated social worker. She was always the person I could count on for help and a person who always stood up for whats right, no matter the cost. She spoke her mind, and was well respected for it. She will be dearly missed from the ... Continue Reading
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Karen Vanderveen
October 31, 2021
Starla was one of the first people I met at the VA. She was always so upbeat and a joy to work with. My condolences to her family. She will be so missed.
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Dick & Jean DeWitt
October 31, 2021
Starla was so kind & helpful to us at the VA -- We miss her!
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Betsy & Geoff Voshel
October 30, 2021
Starla, a quintessential social worker, was beloved by many. Her legacy is profound! Her energy was matched by her compassion and incredible work ethic. Starla touched many, many lives in her extraordinary career. She kept all of us on our toes and never, ever gave up. T... Continue Reading
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Guest
October 30, 2021
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