Ellen Carolyn (Thoreson) Keplar

Ellen Carolyn Keplar left this life on November 24, 2018. She was born at home in Plummer, Minnesota to Nick and Emma (Erickson) Thoreson on April 9, 1926.  She moved to Hobart, Indiana with her family in her sophomore year at Mentor High School with an enrollment of 20. She graduated in 1944 from Hobart High School.  After graduation she worked in the Gary Steel Mills until the end of WWII. She then worked in Gary, Indiana as a real estate agent.  Later, she worked on the Gary Campus of Indiana University.  In 1948, she moved to Chicago, Iliinois to work for an insurance company.  This move led to her being recruited by the Dept. of the Navy to work in Washington D.C.  In Washington D.C. at a USO dance she met Master Sergeant Lewis Keplar. They married May 15, 1953 at her parent's home in Hobart, Indiana. They had four children Debra (Jess) Daughtery, Diane Anthony, Dan (Deborah) Keplar and David Keplar.  Lewis preceded her in death in July of 1959. Ellen began her 20 year career at the Westville Correctional Center when she moved to Westville in 1972. Ellen worked as a secretary in Training Department, Classification Department, and Psychiatric Unit. After retirement, Ellen enjoyed socializing at the Senior Center in Westville playing Bingo at the American Legion, sewing with the quilting club and being active in the resale store and the Westville United Methodist Church. In addition to her husband, Ellen was preceded in death by her parents; sister Hanna, brothers Harry and Harold, sister-in-laws Bonnie and Margaret, and two nephews Layne and Ronald. Ellen has nine grandchildren, two great grandchildren, and several nieces and nephews. There will be a memorial service in celebration of Ellen's life at the Westville United Methodist Church on December 15, 2018 at 10:00 am.  The family requests in lieu of flowers donations be made to the Westville Area Food Pantry and the Westville United Methodist Church.  

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