It is with heavy hearts to announce the passing of “Mom”, Theresa Gertrude Keeler (nee Hanson), on Tuesday, April 28, 2026, at the age of 92 years, surrounded with the love of her family. Mom, the oldest of five children, was born on Friday, August 4, 1933, to parents Joseph and Helen (nee Hug) Hanson in Red Deer, Alberta. Mom attended St. Joseph’s Convent from 1939 to 1951. The family was raised in the area now known as Westpark in Red Deer. In a home that had no running water or sewer, however lots of love and learning to work hard and have fun and respect others were learned in that home.

Upon completion of school, Mom was hired as a telephone operator with Alberta Government Telephones, known as AGT in Red Deer and in 1953 and was promoted to chief operator in Strathmore. It was at that time, Mom met her future husband Jacob as Mom rented a room from her future mother-in-law, Mrs. Keeler. This is the real definition of fate.

On May 15, 1954, Mom and Dad were married in the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Red Deer. Mom and Dad moved to Calgary as Dad started working with Alberta Transportation, helping to build road infrastructure and maintenance in this Province. For seven years, they travelled from one work site to another. During those seven years, Mom was pregnant for the most part constantly. We all marvel at how Mom managed to have and raise five children on the road. While pregnant with the last child, the decision was made to move their mobile home to her parent’s acreage in McKenzie subdivision.

In 1965, when the five oldest were off to school, Mom applied for a position with the RCMP at the Red Deer subdivision. In 1967, Mom and Dad purchased the acreage where Mom remained until her passing. Mom loved her position with the RCMP. Mom was very dedicated to her job and was well respected by those that Mom worked with. Again, this full-time job with six children and a husband that worked away spoke to Mom’s dedication to family, her dedication to her job and always ensuring there was a healthy meal on the table every night. Mom, somehow like so many, also managed to have a garden that fed the family year-round. This garden was big enough to start a market stand but in reality, it just fed the family. Many weekends were spent on the road going to visit Dad in whatever area of the province Dad was working. Mom never complained about how busy she was, it was just a part of life as a trucker’s wife with six children.

Mom retired from the RCMP in July of 1991; it was at Mom’s retirement party that we as a family saw the admiration that Mom was given by all her coworkers. We all learned our work ethic from our parents; Mom taught us that hard work was always rewarded if not monetarily, but sometimes just the respect shown by coworkers was enough to prove that you were appreciated and that you made a difference.

Mom and Dad purchased their motor home in 1985 and began taking trips with family to the Yukon, the Northwest Territories and Alaska, all with Dad’s siblings. Fun times and lots of laughs were spent on these trips. Several fishing trips were made to Carson Lake with Mom and Dad with several of us kids and grandchildren as well they went with their friends and other family members because this was the Lake that Dad had mastered at catching fish. Mom and Dad spent four winters in Arizona or a good part of those winters in their motorhome making new friends as well as spending lots of time playing Shuffleboard. Mom and Dad’s first real sport, because of their love for Shuffleboard, they took many trips with other enthusiasts of the sport to many tournaments where fun was had by all. Sadly, it was on one of these tournament adventures in Brooks Alberta that Dad passed away from a sudden heart attack in their motorhome on July 16, 2002. This was the last time Mom participated in Shuffleboard.

Following the passing of Dad, Mom started her life of volunteering for many organizations, MS Society was one she worked at many events to raise money for that cause. Volunteering for the Tournament of Hearts in Red Deer was the highlight for Mom as she so loved the game. She worked many funeral lunches at St Mary’s with the CWL.

Mom started her love for travel with her son Ray who took her on an amazing Alaska Cruise, from there she traveled multiple times with her children to Arizona which at times included grandchildren, a trip to Montreal, a cruise down the eastern seaboard and another cruise with her Aunt Rose to Alaska. Mom’s last trip was with her daughter Donna on the Rocky Mountaineer from Edmonton to Vancouver. While in Vancouver they spent time with Patrick as he lived there at that time.

Mom led a life well lived, well-loved and mostly admired by many for her strength and her amazing memory. Mom is survived by her loving children, Patrick Keeler, Donna (Richard) Argue, Denise (Larry) Walls, Ray Keeler (Pan), Carolyn (Darcy) Schatschneider; as well her nine remarkable grandchildren, Lawrence (Amber) Walls, Trevor (Jill) Walls, Tania Jenkins (Cap Van), Chelsea Argue, Scott Argue (Melissa Bishop), Darrell (Lindsey) Schatschneider, Jennifer (Justin) Wiebe, Cameron Argue (Brianna Moorhead), and Kevin Schatschneider. Mom was blessed with her great-grandchildren, which were always guaranteed to put a smile on her face, Piper Walls, Lanaya Jenkins, Sam Argue, Dallas Schatschneider, Jaylynn Wiebe, Grayson Schatschneider, Chance Argue, Jace Wiebe, Colby Walls, Cooper Walls, and Jill and Trevor have one more due in August; her sisters, Helen Trombley, Louise Dufrense; her sister-in-law, Anne Hanson; as well as many nieces and nephews.

Mom is predeceased by her husband, Jacob “Jake”; her son, Art; her parents, Joseph and Helen (nee Hug) Hanson; her brothers, Pat and Francis; her brothers-in-law, Clarence Trombley and Ron Dufrense; as well as all of Dad’s twelve siblings, Helen Woldum, Fred Keeler, Bill Keeler, John Keeler, Joe Keeler, Pauline Longbotham, Maragret Godfrey, Odella Glendinning, Stefanie Swenson, Antoinette Chase, Mary Nelson and Anna McLauchin.

We wish to thank all the staff at the Red Deer Regional Hospital for the excellent care Mom received from the moment she arrived by ambulance on March 5, 2026, until her passing on April 28, 2026. We also wish to thank Mom’s doctor, Dr. McConnell, for his excellent medical care.

Special thanks to Christine and Lisa, Mom’s home care ladies that visited daily for the last four years to put on and take off Mom’s compression stocking, rain or snow they came. Christine and Lisa were very kind individuals that Mom became very fond of.

Family and friends are invited to attend a Funeral Mass in Theresa’s honour on Friday, June 5, 2026, at 1:00 p.m. at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, 6 McMillan Avenue, Red Deer, Alberta. Reception to follow.

Cremation entrusted to Parkland Funeral Home and Crematorium, Red Deer, Alberta. Condolences, memories and photos may be shared and viewed at www.parklandfuneralhome.com

Parkland Funeral Home and Crematorium (Red Deer)

ONLY LOCALLY FAMILY OWNED AND OPERATED FUNERAL HOME/CREMATORIUM

IN THE CITY OF RED DEER

“Caring Community Compassion Since 1999”

6287 – 67A Street (Taylor Drive), Red Deer. 403.340.4040.

• Date : 2026-05-28
• Location : Parkland Funeral Home (Red Deer) www.parklandfuneralhome.com 403.340.4040