Laura Keller

Laura Keller died Monday, June 13, 2022 at Johnson Memorial Care Center in Dawson at the age of 86.

Celebration of life will be held on Wednesday, July 27, 2022 from 6:30 - 8:00 PM at Hanson & Dahl Funeral Home in Dawson with a prayer service at 7:30.

Laura Eleanor Keller was born March 1st 1936, in Sop's Arm, in the Providence of Newfoundland and Labrador to Charles Bushey and Lucy (Sacrey) Bushey. Later, her family moved to Roddickton, Newfoundland when her father became caretaker for the local sawmill.   

In 1953, at the age of 17, Laura traveled to Boston, MA and worked for a year as a nanny, or indentured servant as she liked to call it, for a family that sponsored her journey to the United States. After her time as a nanny came to an end, she worked at GE Electric and as a dance instructor at Arthur Murray's Dance Studio. She met Lloyd Patterson Jr. while in Massachusetts and married him in August of 1955.  While married to Lloyd, they had two children, Dwight and Pamela, and moved to Kansas.   

After her marriage to Lloyd ended, she met and married Elton (Al) Keller in 1961.  While married to Al, they had two children, Teresa and Trevor. During this time, they made their way to Akeley, MN and purchased the Log Cabin Cafe and Akeley 34 Club and later built the Al-Lora Motel. The marriage to Al ended, but Laura remained the proud owner of the café and motel for 30 years until she moved to Clarkfield, MN to be closer to her family.   

While in Clarkfield, she worked as a nursing assistant at the Clarkfield Care Center and later moved to Melrose where she also worked as a nursing assistant at the Melrose Nursing Home. She retired from the Melrose Nursing home and to fill her free time she became a Walmart Greeter in Sauk Center, MN.  

Laura was also a member of the Ladies Auxiliary where she enjoyed spending time with friends and helping the community.   In her free time, she enjoyed playing cards, going to dances and entertaining friends and family. Laura was a fantastic cook after owning a café for many years and loved cooking for friends and family when she could.  Laura was also known to critique food if it was not up to her own great cooking standards.  Laura was very kind hearted but could have a hard edge if deserved.  Many of her kids’ friends thought of her as a second mom while growing up.  

Laura is survived by her four children: Dwight (Laurie) Patterson, Pam (Mark) Hill, Teresa (Ken) Tufto, Trevor (Lynn) Keller; grandchildren: Melissa Mincey, Chris (Rachel) Gorden, David Patterson, Kari (Michael) Zwilling, Brandon Hill, Brianna Hill, Matthew Tufto, Aaron Tufto; great-grandkids: Xavier Lester, Abbie Lester, Paysen Mincey, Nolan Mincey, Tessa Gorden, Alana Gorden, Mariah Patterson, Julian Patterson, Mila Patterson and Baby Zwilling (due in December); and brothers and sister: Orlando, Eli and Marg. 

Preceding her in death were her parents; grandson, Ryan Hill; brothers and sisters: Jessie, Jim, Raymond, Clem, Les, Dora, Nellie, Susie, and Mildred. 

 Laura will be truly missed and forever loved. 

In lieu of flowers memorials are preferred to Hawk Creek Animal Shelter,250 28th St SW, Willmar, MN 56201