LAURA ST. ANN KELLER

Laura St. Ann Keller, 3120 Independence, an educator and avid worker for historic preservation in Cape Girardeau, died Sunday, Jan. 5, 1997, at Chateau Girardeau Health Center.

She was born July 4, 1894, in Redding Ridge, Conn., daughter of Daniel Jerome and Adene Cook Keller. The family moved to Malden in 1900 from New York, and then to Cape Girardeau in 1938.

Keller attended Southeast Missouri State University, Morse School of Expression in St. Louis, Columbia University in New York, Chicago Music College, Herbert Witherspoon Studio in New York, and New York University.

During her career she taught English, speech and drama, including 10 years at Southeast University, and 15 years in New Brunswick, N.J.

She moved back to Cape Girardeau in 1946 and from then until 1953 took over her mother's interest in The Gift Shop on Main Street. In 1954 she became co-owner and operator of a dairy and poultry farm. She went back to New Brunswick and taught in the high school from 1957-67.

Keller bought an historical house in 1963, renovated it and named it Westlane. It is on the Missouri Historic Registry.

She was a charter member of the Historical Society of Greater Cape Girardeau, served as vice president from 1968-71, and served on the board of directors from 1973-81.

Keller was active with the Glenn House and its acquisition, Cape River Heritage Museum, past president of Business and Professional Women's Club, past president of Thomas Sanford Chapter of Daughters of the American Colonists and Cape Girardeau County Democratic Women.

She was active in the American Association of University Women, and member of Nancy Hunter Chapter of Daughters of the American Revolution.

Keller was a member of St. Vincent's Catholic Church, Friends of St. Francis, and Friends of Southeast Missouri State University.

Survivors include a niece, Jackie Ingram of Crested Butte, Colo.

There is no visitation or service. Inurnment was in St. Mary's Cemetery.

Ford and Sons Mt. Auburn Chapel was in charge of arrangements.