Mary Anne (Gruman) Keppler, 73, of rural St. Olaf passed away Thursday, December 9, 2021, at Mercy One Hospital in Elkader after a short illness.
She was born January 24, 1948, at the Delaware County Hospital in Manchester, to Glenn and Veronica (Wanchura) Gruman.
She was united in marriage to Dennis Keppler on November 23, 1968, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Lamont. Six children were born to this union. The couple have been active members of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Elkader.
Mary Anne was the owner/operator of her own beauty shop. She kept very busy raising her family and making beautiful quilts. Life for Mary Anne revolved around her home. It only made sense to combine these two things so she could stay home and help contribute to the family by quilting. Mary Anne opened Country Calico Fabrics on the Gunder Road. She enjoyed all of her customers and those who came to visit her over the years. Her advice when picking out fabric was to include a zinger that made the design pop. Mary Anne was involved in the St. Joseph Crafters and donated the quilt for the annual raffle for many years. Even after closing the quilting shop you could find her on the couch embroidering quilt blocks.
Mary Anne was preceded in death by her parents; her husband Dennis on July 7, 2021; brothers-in-law, Thomas Murphy and Dennis Hahn.
Survivors include her children, Paul (Lori) Keppler of St. Olaf, Sara (Tim) Miller of Waukon, Amanda (Ryan Klink) Keppler of St. Olaf, Louis (Angel) Keppler of Elkader, Cletus (Tanya) Keppler of St. Olaf and Abby Keppler of Kansas City, MO; sixteen grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren; sisters, Carolyn Murphy of Dike and Katie Hahn of Cedar Rapids; brothers, John (Diane) Gruman of Waterloo, Lawrence (Karen) Gruman of Cedar Falls and Joe (Delaine) Gruman of Lamont.
Visitation: 9:00 am until Mass time Friday, December 17, 2021, at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Elkader.
Mass of Christian Burial: 10:30 am, Friday, December 17, 2021, at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Elkader, with Rev. John Haugen, as Celebrant
A Private Inurnment will be held at a later date.
Leonard-Grau Funeral Home and Cremation Service of Elkader is assisting the family.