BUCKLIN-Mabel Louise Roberts Keller joined her family in Heaven on February 20, 2017 , at the age of 101.

Mabel Louise Roberts was born on September 28, 1915 in the Red Rock Canyon of Oklahoma to Charles and Flossie Roberts.

In 1919 at the age of four Mabel moved with her family in a covered wagon to Medicine Lodge, Kansas. During that move Mabel was ran over by the wagon during a comfort break when her father didn't realize she wasn't back in the wagon. Life was tough in those days and her family moved frequently in search of work. Those travels put Mabel in thirteen schools before she made it to junior high when she left school to help with the family. One winter was spent in Walsh, Colorado living in a tent that was heated by a cook stove burning cow chips.

In 1931 the family moved to Ford, Kansas for work. The rented house they lived in had no water, but the Keller family next door allowed them to get water at their house. It was there that she met her future husband, Harry Allison Keller and they were married on May 23, 1932 at the courthouse in Dodge City. After a honeymoon to Scott State Lake, they made their home at the Keller farm southwest of Ford. There they lived in the house where Harry Allison Keller was born in 1912. Their first son, Charles David Keller, was born in the same room in the farm house in 1934.

At the invite of Harry Allison Keller's uncle, the young family moved to the uncle's ranch in Tulare County, California, about fifty miles up in the mountains northeast of Bakersfield, California. Sons Harry Lee(1936) and Cecil Louis(1939) were born in Bakersfield. During part of the time in California, Mabel worked as an aide at the Kern County General Hospital.

In 1941 the family returned to the farm southwest of Ford. Two sons, Glenn Eugene(1942) and Wayne Ray(1950) were born at Trinity Hospital, Dodge City.

From 1953 to 1965, Harry Allison and Mabel ran Keller Sundries in Ford. In addition to the usual sundry items it featured a soda fountain and was the town's gathering spot for young and old alike. Also there were pin ball machines and a juke box for the youth. A television was added early on and it attracted the men of town, especially on Friday night for the Gillette Friday Night Fights.

In 1968 Mabel attended GED classes at Dodge City Community College. After successfully obtaining her GED she enrolled in the Medical Ward Secretary Course at the college. During the time taking the classes, she continued her work at the farm which included packing silage that fall. She kept her class notes on index cards and studied them, especially the Latin, as she packed silage on the Ford 8N tractor. Upon completing the course she began work at Trinity Hospital as Ward Secretary and then later moved to St. Anthony's Hospital. She enjoyed the work at the hospital a great deal, but left to care for her husband's health needs at the time.

In 1981 Mabel and Harry Allison moved to Dodge City. Mabel became active in various organizations, especially the Salvation Army Auxiliary. She enjoyed painting classes and ceramics classes. Mabel was a member of the Dodge City Church of the Nazarene.

During the past thirty years, Mabel and Harry Allison made several trips to the Prince of Wales Island, Alaska where son Glenn operated a fishing lodge and charter. Mabel made a few more trips to Alaska after Harry Allison's passing in 1995.

A special time in Mabel's later years was her time as Foster Grandparent helping students with reading at the middle school. She so much enjoyed her time with the students. Macular Degeneration took it toll on her eyesight and she reluctantly gave up that program at age 90.

Mabel has fought cancer twice and beat it both times. Her declining eyesight caused her the most issues, but she made the best of it. She enjoyed telling stories of her childhood in infinite detail going back to the covered wagon trip from Oklahoma at age four. She especially enjoyed family reunions and birthday parties. A special treat was the birthday Sopapilla Delight at Casa Alvarez Restaurant.

A Bible verse, that inspired Mabel,
"I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.", 2 Timothy 4:7

Survivors include: Sons Cecil, Wayne and wife Glenna, Grandchildren Craig Keller, Loretta Keller, Lisa Holmes, Debra Keller, Jeff Keller, Brenda Simon, Vernon Keller, Wesley Keller, Scott Keller and Trent Keller. Daughter-in-laws, Bobette Keller, Karon Keller, Kay Keller. Great grandchildren and great great grandchildren and step grandchildren. Brother Bob Roberts of Hutchinson, Kansas. Cousin Ruby Doolin of Oklahoma, age 100. Numerous nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by: Parents, Charles and Flossie Roberts. Husband Harry Allison Keller. Sons: Charles Keller, Harry Keller and Glenn Keller. Daugher-in-laws, Beverly Hyer Keller and Kay Eckell Keller. Siblings: John Roberts and wife Ruth, Mildred Mitchell and husband Edgar, Grace Chitwood and husband Kenneth, Charles Roberts, Jr., Lorene Snyder and husband Warren, Everett Roberts and wife Doris. . Sister-in-law Phyllis Roberts.

There will be no visitation, cremation has taken place. Inurnment will be at the Ford Cemetery at a later date.

Memorials may be made to Mabel's favorite radio station, KHYM, c/o Great Plains Christian Radio P.O. Box 991, Meade, Kansas 67864.