Sister Louis Keller, 1920-2004
Born July 20, 1920, Lexington, Kentucky
Entered St. Walburg Monastery, September 15, 1940
First Profession July 1, 1942
Died September 26, 2004
Sr. Louis was born in Lexington, Kentucky, to John Ferdinand and Mary Elizabeth Scott Keller. She was given the name Margaret Lillian at her baptism and was the youngest of five children. The oldest, her brother Louis, was ordained in Rome as a priest of the Covington Diocese but died twenty-three months later. Her older sister, Frances, entered St. Walburg Monastery in 1937 and became Sr. Adele. Margaret followed her on September 15, 1940. She became Sr. Louis, in honor of her brother, on June 30, 1941, made first profession on July 1, 1942 and final profession three years later. She celebrated Jubilees in 1967, 1992 and 2002.
Sr. Louis’ ministry was library service. From 1945 until 1990 she was librarian at Villa Madonna Academy, first serving with Miss Eleanor Altenberg and then assuming the position of head librarian. From 1952 until 1972 she was also the monastery librarian and periodically worked summers in the library at Villa Madonna/Thomas More College.
Sr. Louis was a quiet person but she enjoyed being with the community in all its events, special and ordinary. She suffered patiently from diabetes for a number of years and was a conscientious observer of the proper diet. In recent years leg movement was difficult for her and her mobility depended on a wheelchair.
Although Sr. Louis had been in ill health for some time, a crisis came quickly and she received the anointing of the sick the Friday evening before she died.