BY CRAIG WENZEL – TRUE DAKOTAN EDITOR
The final chapter of a great American love story was written last week.
War-time correspondence between two strangers in the 1940’s developed into a marriage that spanned six decades and a lifetime of service to God, country, friends and family.
Through a Church paper affiliated with the Free Methodist Church, Betty Sible, a young woman from Jeanette, Pennsylvania, began corresponding with those in the military that were published in that paper. Her mother encouraged her to write to the servicemen so they would be sure to have mail from home. Betty wrote to several, never knowing if her letters arrived, if the intended recipient was still living or had died from wounds during a far-away battle during World War II.
A lightning bolt arrived in the mail one day during the war… a letter from a lonely soldier who was touched by Betty’s letters. Charles Keller, a dashing young soldier who was bravely serving his country in war-torn Germany had penned a letter to the surprised young woman in Pennsylvania.
Charles enjoyed writing, according to his daughter, Becky Leslie, of Wessington Springs. “As much as Dad liked to write, I wish he would have kept a diary during his life,” she said. “He could be sitting at home, humming a hymn and writing a sermon at the same time.”
He especially liked writing poems and short stories and had written one to Betty that her mother, Barbara Sible, thought was nice. Betty’s mother suggested she continue to write him and when he came home from serving his country in Germany, they met for the first time at Winona Lake, Indiana. Betty had never been away from home and traveled there by train with her mother.
“Mom and Dad went out for a meal together on that first meeting,” Becky said. “They both ordered food, but neither of them was able to eat anything.”
The rest, as they say, is history. Betty and Charles were married on June 21, 1948 in Betty’s hometown.
They lived in Wessington Springs during the late 1950’s when three of the kids were small. “Dad delivered milk for Culhane’s Dairy, working to pay for his tuition at Wessington Springs College,” Becky said.
Charles later became a Free Methodist pastor and the ministry led them to many places including South Dakota, Iowa, and Indiana. They spent time serving the Gann Valley Congregational Church and the Harmony Friends rural church northwest of Wessington Springs.
Charles and Betty were thrilled to be able to return to South Dakota in 1992, as they had spent many years in the ministry here. Charles passed away April 28, 1996 in Wessington Springs and Betty moved to the Apollo Apartments.
She then resided at Hillcrest Heights until her move to Avera Weskota Nursing Home three years ago. Betty died on Wednesday, June 10, 2009.
Charles and Becky had four children, Becky (Craig) Leslie, of Wessington Springs, Charlie (Becky) Keller, of Wessington Springs, Pam (Gene) Kenny of Mauldin, South Carolina, and Richard (Kirstin) Keller of New Paris, Indiana and eight grandchildren.
The couple spent their lifetime together, faithfully ministering in their churches, raising children, welcoming people into their home and reading the the Holy Bible…. all because of a few hand-written letters that were guided by God to a lonely soldier on a World War II battlefield.
on Jun 29th, 2009 at 2:17 pm
Dear Editor,
The article you wrote on my brother Charles Keller and his wife Betty was wonderful. I’ve read and reread it now several times the two days I’ve had it! Thanks so much for your interest in good stories. My niece, Becky Leslie, sent the paper to me. We talk often and she writes me every week!
I’m now 87 ½ years old, but I still remember the “good days” of family and we have three wonderful children and five great grand ones and grand kids! All are caring, loving, thoughtful and helpful.
Bud and Wally (my husband) were stationed on bases in Colorado and England, but couldn’t tell each other or us! I’ve been on two bases in Colorado—my mother and I went out to Colorado two weeks to see Bud. He was two years younger and we sang a lot together and all over Iowa and each church Bud and Betty served. Yes, we even were in Wessington Springs and sang!
Last time in Wessington Springs was July 1996 shortly after Bud passed away.
My daughter Beth has been a nurse since 1973 and still is, but Bud always depended on Beth for health questions. He’d say, “Nurse Beth, what causes this or that?” Whenever Bud and Betty came to Burlington, Iowa you’d think a king was coming! They were a great couple and family. Our parents raised us right and my sister and husband still in ministry here and almost 50 years, retiring soon! I married a preacher’s son, so great, too.
Many thanks for caring and sharing. Keep it up. The Lord bless you each day.
Emma L. Keller Watterson