Anne Elizabeth (Adams) Keller, born July 16, 1939, in Green Bay, was a devoted educator, community leader, and cherished family figure who passed away peacefully on February 12, 2026, at Marshfield Medical Center in Eau Claire.
Anne spent her early years in Sheboygan, where she completed her education at Central High School in 1957 before earning her bachelor’s degree from the University of Wisconsin–River Falls. On September 2, 1961, she married Emmett Keller, beginning a loving partnership that would shape the years ahead. The couple first lived in Madison, where Anne shared her passion for language by teaching French, before settling in Chippewa Falls in 1964.
A dedicated educator and servant to her community, Anne taught French at Chippewa Falls Middle School for eight years and later inspired learners through genealogy classes in the Voyageur Program. She also devoted many years of service as secretary and membership secretary at Central Lutheran Church, where she was deeply involved in church life. In 2001, she organized the Freedom Ringers Bell Choir, further enriching the church’s musical tradition.
Anne’s love for history and connection led her to found the Chippewa County Genealogical Society in 1980. She was actively involved in numerous organizations, including the P.E.O. Sisterhood, the Chippewa Historical Society’s Past Passed Here program, and volunteer efforts at the Heyde Center. She also co-authored three local history books, helping support the Chippewa Area History Center. A lifelong advocate for youth development, she held lifetime membership in the Girl Scouts.
Beyond her professional and volunteer work, Anne was known for her love of travel, often organizing and leading group trips to Europe and across the United States, sharing her curiosity and joy of learning with others.
Anne is lovingly remembered by her daughter, Sarah (Frank) Hoefflin of Baden, Switzerland; her grandchildren, Christoph (Rachel) and Annikka Hoefflin; her brother, Richard (Diane) Adams; her sister, Patricia Baas; and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in passing by her parents, her husband Emmett in 2020, and her son Paul in 1984.
A visitation and memorial service will be held at Central Lutheran Church in Chippewa Falls, followed by interment at Buffalo City Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to organizations close to her heart, including the Chippewa County Genealogical Society, Girl Scouts, and Central Lutheran Church.
Anne’s legacy lives on through her family, her students, and the many lives she touched with kindness, knowledge, and dedication.
