Born March 7, 1940: Died November 6, 2024
Preceded in death by her father, Harold W Keller Sr.,mother Ester Viola Krug Keller, husband, Ector Isaac Thyfault, and grandson, Garret Michael Thyfault.
She is survived by her son Michael, daughter in law, Andrea, grandsons Dylan, Jackson and Hunter, brother Harold W. Keller Jr, sister-in-law, Brenda Keller, nephews David and Brian Keller, niece Jean Zimmerman and Ken Hall.
Kathy was born in Axtel hospital, Newton, Kansas. She lived with her family in Peabody, Kansas. She grew up attending school and working at her family’s business, Keller’s Clothing Store. Her father passed away when she was a sophomore in high school. Kathy and her mother moved to Russell, Kansas where her mother’s parents lived. Kathy graduated from Russell High School. She had many friends she left behind in Peabody but stayed in contact with them throughout her lifetime. She usually had a smile on her face and had a positive outgoing personality. After high school, Kathy went to Kansas State University. She transferred to Kansas Wesleyan University. This is where she met her husband, Ector Thyfault. They were married on May 26, 1962. After being married, Kathy and Ector attended Emporia State Teacher’s College. Kathy and Ec loved to swim. They both received certifications in W.S.I. (water and safety instructors). They mastered all the American Red Cross different styles of swimming.
Kathy and Ector spent one summer managing the Bellville, Kansas swimming pool. After managing the pool, Ector and Kathy moved to Grand Rapids, Michigan. Ector went to work for the American Red Cross as the safety service director. Kathy was a 2nd grade schoolteacher. She taught for several years until Michael was born. He was born September 24, 1971. Kathy left teaching and worked part-time with a swimming program called drownproofing after Mike’s birth. She helped 4th grade students from all public schools learn to swim. As Mike grew up, she chose to stay at home with him. Kathy and her family loved living in Michigan. They had many lifelong friends in Michigan. The Thyfault’s moved to Omaha in April 1981 with Ector taking a new position at the Red Cross.
As the years went by, Kathy taught the neighborhood kids how to swim in the Thyfault backyard pool. Kathy made sure all the neighbor kids felt welcome to their home. It was known as the neighborhood hangout. The kids still have memories of Kathy and her helpful kindness. The Thyfault house was their 2nd home. After Ector retired, Kathy worked at the front desk for the Red Cross and eventually would retire from there.
Her final chapter in life was enjoying retirement with Ector because she was a grandmother to 3 boys, Dylan, Jackson and Hunter. She volunteered in all of the boys’ classrooms and attended many field trips. Kathy and Ec attended hundreds if not a thousand sporting and school events. They loved watching their grandsons and were so proud of them. The boys took trips and tent camped with their Meme and Pepe. The boys looked forward to summertime lunches at Kathy’s favorite restaurants including Chuck E Cheese, Blimpies, Dairy Queen, Burger King and Taco Bell. Kathy always made herself available to help Mike’s family anyway she could. She loved them dearly and gave her all to them.
She will be in our hearts forever. Mike will always believe she was the greatest mother and he was blessed to be her son.
Visitation: Monday, November 11, from 5-7 pm at Braman Mortuary Millard Chapel, 6505 S. 144th St., Omaha, NE
Celebration of Kathy's Life: Tuesday, November 12, at 10 am, also at Braman Millard Chapel
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