Kayoko Keeler

Kayoko Keeler passed away on February 9, 2018 at the age of 92. She was born on February 2, 1926 and grew up in Iwamizawa, Hokkaido Japan to parents Youzou and Hisae Tonuma. She was the second of three daughters to Youzou and Hisae.

Kayoko took a job as a civilian working in counter intelligence for the U.S. Military as an interpreter, where she met her beloved husband Richard Paul Keeler. The two were married in Sapporo, Japan on December 18, 1953. Kayoko made the brave journey to leave her family and her Country of origin to follow Richard to the United States and abroad, where she successfully raised a family of 4 children, worked various jobs and moved/lived in Europe, Colorado, Kansas, Texas and eventually Lincoln Nebraska. Kayoko was often in charge of the family while Richard, a Sargent Major in the Army, was fighting for our Country, in multiple wars. While in Lincoln, she was an instrumental member of The International Women’s Group, and worked with multiple Japanese students and immigrants to ensure they smoothly assimilated to American life and culture. Kayoko’s biggest enjoyment was getting all of her family (children, grandkids, and friends) together for July 4th celebrations.

She is preceded in death by her parents; Husband, Richard Keeler; father-in-law Clyde Keeler; mother-in-law Hazel Keeler; sister, Yukiko Hatta; and son-in-law Lynn Brumley of Austin TX.

Kayoko is survived by her children Pam Keeler(Brumley) of Austin, TX ; Rex (Amy) Keeler of Lincoln, NE; Jeff (Cathy) Keeler of Kansas City, MO; and Ginny Keeler of Tulsa, OK; as well as numerous grandchildren of Fremont, NE; Rochester, MN; Knoxville, TN; Omaha, NE; Lincoln, NE; Kansas City, MO; Austin, TX; and Bryan, TX.

Memorial services will be at Lincoln Memorial in Lincoln NE on February 26th at 12:30 pm, with an afternoon reception to follow.