Janis Mary Keffer

Celebrating Life

Janis Mary Keffer, 86, of Island City, passed away on Wednesday, November 22, 2023 at Grande Ronde Hospital. A Celebration of Life will be held at the La Grande Church of the Nazarene on Friday, December 8, 2023 at 10:00am. Casual dress is preferred by the family.

Janis was born on September 28, 1937 in Forest Grove, Oregon to Howard and Mary (Betty) Robertson. She resided in Forest Grove, OR and La Grande, OR. She attended Hillside Grade School in Forest Grove and graduated from Forest Grove High School. She later attended Eastern Oregon College in La Grande, OR. In 1960, she married Alan Keffer.

Janis taught Kindergarten at Lake Oswego School District, and later, a first-grade teacher at Greenwood Elementary School in La Grande. She also worked for Center for Human Development for 20 years. In 1967, she was named Outstanding Young Woman, and in 1968, she was named Outstanding Young Woman of America. She enjoyed cooking and catering and most of all, her grandchildren. She was a member of the PEO Chapter DK, March of Dimes as Chairwoman and the Oregon Heart Association board member, a member of the Methodist Church, where she sang on the Choir for 50 years, and many other groups.

Janis is survived by her husband, Alan H. Keffer; children, Brad Keffer (Jodi) of Keno, OR, MaryK Danforth (Rick) of La Grande, OR, David Keffer (Sheri) of La Grande, OR and Scott Elliott (Robyn) of Boise, ID; sister, Joanne Stuvick; 12 grandchildren; 21 great grandchildren; 6 nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, Howard and Betty Robertson; mother and father-in-law Les and Edna Mae Keffer; brother-in-law, Larry Keffer and brother-in-law Herbie Stuvick.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the PEO Chapter DK, 69355 Ruckle Road, Summerville, OR 97876 Obituary courtesy of Loveland Funeral Chapel.

Previous Page