Leonard Keller, age 87, passed away on December 19, 2022.

Leonard Keller, age 87, passed away on December 19, 2022.

He was born 0n August 23, 1935 to Vernon and Dicie Keller in Oregon City, OR. He graduated from Stayton Union High School in 1953, and then went on to study diesel mechanics at OIT in Klamath Falls where he met his soon-to-be-wife, Elsie. This past September, they celebrated 66 years of marriage.

Leonard was a life-long Oregonian–for the most part–but in the fall of 1956, he and Elsie moved to Happy Camp, CA where Leonard began following in his father’s footsteps, working in all aspects of the logging industry. While in Happy Camp, two daughters were born, Karla and Kim, and a third daughter, Colleen, was born four years later in Florence, OR after relocating to and settling down in Mapleton, OR where they lived for the next 60 years on the the river up East Mapleton Rd.

Leonard retired from the woods in 1997. After that, he spent his time taking care of his home, gardening in the summer, and enjoying his loving family. He also enjoyed reading in the early morning (logger early), playing pinochle with his friends and family, and wood working in his shop where he made all sorts of amazing gifts.

Survivors include his wife, Elsie; his eldest daughter Karla and her husband Ed Lundeen, Kimberly and her husband Randy Webb, Colleen and her husband Derrick Lee, six grandkids (one preceding him in death) and 16 great-grandchildren–with another on the way.

He was a hard-working man with a twinkle in his eye and a wonderful sense of humor.

As per Leonard’s request, no service is planned.  A gathering will take place at a later date.

Rest in peace, dear loved one.  Burns’s Riverside Chapel Florence Funeral Home.