Donna Rose Keller

Funeral services for Donna Rose Keller, 88-year-old Buffalo resident who passed away on Monday, August 10, 2026, will be held Saturday, August 15th at 10:00 a.m. at the Harness Funeral Home Chapel in Buffalo with Pastor Paul Gilbert officiating. A visitation will be held on Friday, August 14th from 3:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. and Saturday, August 15th from 8:00 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. at the Harness Funeral Home Chapel. Graveside services and burial will follow on August 18, in Greenwood Cemetery, Hayward, Wisconsin– arrangements by Bratley Nelson Funeral Home. Donations in Donna’s memory may be made to the Susan Bowling Lawrence Hospice at 497 West Lott Street, Buffalo, Wyoming 82834, or to the St. Francis Animal Shelter at 109 Flatiron Drive, Buffalo, Wyoming 82834. Online condolences may be made at www.harnessfuneralhome.com.

Donna Rose (Hyatt) Keller, 88, from Buffalo, passed away August 10, 2026, under the wonderful care of the Johnson County Hospital and hospice care. Family was by her side as well.

Donna Rose Hyatt was born March 9,1938, on the family farm near Ansley, Nebraska. Her parents were Ellis William Hyatt and Susie Marie (Gremm) Hyatt.

She attended grade school at Clear Creek Grade School until 7th grade and then stayed with her grandmother in town to attend 7th and 8th grade in Broken Bow Nebraska. She graduated from Broken Bow High School in 1955, where she was a member of the choir and band.

In 1955, she attended the Lincoln General Hospital School of Nursing, Lincoln, Nebraska, and graduated from there in 1958, becoming a Registered Nurse. She was married to Peter James Keller Jr. in 1958, and they made their home in Lincoln for about 10 months. She worked at Lincoln General Hospital until they moved to Milwaukee where she was employed at two different hospitals. Two children, (sons Peter James and Michael William) were born in Milwaukee. They moved to Wilmington, Ohio in 1964, where she worked part time at the local hospital. Another son, Brian, was born while they were living in Ohio.

In 1969, they bought a small resort on Big Round Lake in Hayward, Wisconsin. She worked at Hayward Hospital for one year and then at Spooner Clinic, until 1976. They both managed the resort. They were divorced in 1977 and then began working at Valley Health Care Nursing Home as Director of Nursing. In 1979, she began employment with the Prudential Insurance Company. She was employed there until 1981 and then was employed by EMS assisting in writing grants for resources for Emergency Personnel training. She was employed in this position for two years and then worked again for Valley Health Care as a staff nurse.

In 1984, she moved to Eau Claire, Wisconsin and was employed by the State of Wisconsin as an inspector of nursing homes located in the northern, northeastern, and western parts of the state. She held this position until July 2000 when she retired.

In December of 2001, she bought a home in Buffalo and continued to live there until her death.

She attended Grace Fellowship Church. She was a volunteer for the Susie Bowling Lawrence hospice and the Buffalo Women’s Connection for about two years. She was an active member of a twelve-step program for 40 plus years and enjoyed the ability of being able to be of service in this fellowship. She loved to cross-stitch and dearly loved her kitties.

She is survived by two sons, Peter & Sherri Keller (nine children: Breanna, Matthew, Meredith, Abraham, Isaac, Mellody, Peter, Serene, & Elijah), and Michael Keller of Wyoming (two children, Stephanie and Nicholas). In addition to the 11 grandchildren, she is survived by 17 great grandchildren, a brother-in-law, John Swick, of Burlington, Colorado, a sister-in-law, Marilyn Hyatt of Broken Bow, Nebraska, and many special nieces and nephews. She is also survived by loving, faithful, long-time friend, Jack Kling of Buffalo, Wyoming (they loved camping in the “Jewel”).

She was preceded in death by her parents – Ellis William Hyatt and Susie Marie (Gremm) Hyatt, son Brian Matthew Keller, sister Joan Marie Hyatt Swick (husband John) and brother, Irvin Hyatt (wife, Marilyn).

Donna will be remembered as a gracious woman, peaceful, in spite of life’s disappointments. Stalwart and brave, she was dedicated to those around her. She specialized in making those around her feel loved, heard and comfortable. Friends may, if they wish, donate a memorial to St. Francis Animal Shelter, or Susie Bowling Lawrence Hospice, in c/o Harness Funeral Home of Buffalo, Wyoming.