Charlotte Anna Keller "Lotte"'s Obituary
Charlotte Anna Keller, age 87, peacefully passed away at St. Joseph’s Hospital on January 6, 2018. She was born, August 9, 1930, the eldest of four children and only daughter of Victor Erwin Sessner and Anna Elly Ronneberger in Milwaukee, WI. Char lived in Wisconsin for 60 years, raising her three daughters. In 1988, she met the love of her life, Henry Francis Keller, Jr.. She moved to Syracuse, New York after they married in 1990.
Charlotte was a communicant of St. Mary’s of the Lake, Skaneateles, and Most Holy Rosary Church, Syracuse; devoted to daily prayer, readings, and Mass with a special devotion to the Chaplet of Divine Mercy and St. Therese of the Little Flower. Charlotte welcomed each day and carried it through with a smile that could light up a room. She always took time to share a joke or two with everyone. She was an avid baker, seamstress, cook, gardener—especially flowers. She was a longtime active member of the Spafford Area Historical Society. She enjoyed fishing in particularly on Lake Michigan, Otisco Lake, and Nine Mile Creek. Some of Lotte’s fondest memories are time spent at her home (Harbour House), on Otisco Lake with family, hosting events, playing cards, and dancing—especially at the grandchildren’s weddings.
In New York, Charlotte pursued her love of the arts taking classes in painting, piano, and Italian. Already fluent in German, being a first generation American, Charlotte and Hank were able to reconnect with family in Germany – visiting there and hosting them here in the States.
She is predeceased by her parents, Victor and Anna, brother Erwin Sessner, and grandson Elliott Wallace. Lotte is survived by her beloved husband, Henry F. Keller, Jr., and his children Dr. Hank (Judy) Keller, Dr. Philip (Susan) Keller, Kathleen (Michael) Heller, Frances (Douglas) Allen, Julia (John) Sheridan, and Kurt (Lynda) Keller; her loving daughters Sandi (Robert) York, Janet Hertig (Robert Sorrin), and Judy (Dr. Hank) Keller; brothers Herbert (Juanita) Sessner, Richard Sessner, and sister-in-law Audrey Sessner, and numerous nieces, nephews, and friends.
Char and Hank were blessed with 29 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren.
Charlotte treasured all her family and friends.
Charlotte’s family wishes to thank Kathy Spicer and Laura Suarez for their steadfast loving home-health care and friendship, along with the physicians and staff of St. Joseph’s Hospital (2/4 and 3/2) for their tender compassionate care.
The family will receive friends Friday, January 12,2018 from 4 – 7 pm at Thomas J Pirro, Jr. Funeral Home, 3401 Vickery Rd, (Corner of Buckley Rd) North Syracuse, NY 13212, with Chaplet of the Divine Mercy to follow.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Saturday, January 13,2018 10:00 am at Most Holy Rosary Church, 111 Roberts Ave, Syracuse, NY, 13207.
Burial will follow in St. Mary’s Cemetery, DeWitt.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Most Holy Rosary Church, 111 Roberts Ave., Syracuse, NY 13207 or to the Spafford Area Historical Society, PO Box 250, Marietta, NY 13110-0250.
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