Jan Keiser
Alton |
Jan Keiser, 64, passed away at 3:29 pm Friday, January 10, 2014 at Barnes Jewish Hospital in St. Louis, MO.
She was born August 23, 1949 in Litchfield, IL, the daughter of Leonard and Jewel (Wright) Beck.
She married Bob Keiser on April 24, 1970 in Litchfield. He survives.
Jan was a preschool teacher at Zion Lutheran School until her retirement in 2009. She was a member of River of Life Family Church of Alton.
Jan’s life was devoted to her family, love of children, pets, and sharing of God’s word with everyone she encountered. Her family was the most important part of her life. She sacrificed everything to be a stay-at-home mom to her children, Becky, Jeff, and Jodie. Jan never missed a class party, sporting event or parent volunteer opportunity. As her kids grew and had families of their own, she found a new joy with six grandchildren. Jordan, Mason, Lauren, Ashlyn, Colton and Carson were the light of her life.
She touched hundreds of young lives throughout the many years of preschool teaching that she performed always sharing God’s love and grace with the children. During Jan’s 18 years of teaching, she gave countless hours of being God’s servant. Her presence in the community was widely revered by all the lives that she influenced.
Jan was an avid animal lover and her heart was always open to giving any animal a home. Out of all of her pets, her beloved Chihuahua, Widget, held the biggest piece of her heart.
Jan loved life and found joy in the simple things. She had the ability to make others laugh with her sense of humor. Her mission in life was to care for and make others around her happy and to ensure they knew
God’s love.
In addition to her husband, Bob and her mom, Jewel of Litchfield, she is survived by two daughters and a son-in-law, Becky and Ben Valadez of Houston, TX and Jodie Keiser of Godfrey; six grandchildren, Jordan Keiser, Mason, Lauren, Ashlyn, Colton and Carson Valadez; two brothers and sisters-in-law, Len and Wanda Beck of Loami, IL and Ron and Connie Beck of Litchfield and several nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her father and a son, Jeff Keiser.
A celebration of life will be from 4 to 8 pm on Monday, January 13, 2014 at River of Life Family Church, 3401 Fosterburg Road, Alton, IL.
Funeral services will be at 11 am Tuesday, January 14, 2014 at the church with Rev. Fred Church officiating.
Burial will follow at Elm Lawn Memorial Park in Litchfield.
In lieu of flowers, Jan’s wishes were for donations to be made to Partners For Pets www.partnesforpetsil.org or the charity of your choice.
Elias, Kallal and Schaaf Funeral Home in Bethalto are in charge of arrangements.
Online condolences and guestbook may be found at www.eliaskallalandschaaf.com
Elias, Kallal & Schaaf Funeral Home
