Virginia Ruth Edwards Keilstrup, 92, passed away on May 23, 2015 in Houston, Texas. She was a driving force in our family and a role model for many. We will miss her greatly.
Born November 16, 1922 in De Witt, Nebraska to Myrtle Mae Fort Edwards and John S. Edwards, Virginia grew up in De Witt and Barneston, Nebraska, graduating in 1940 from Ainsworth, Nebraska High School. She lived and worked in several cities in Nebraska, Dallas and Houston, Texas, and Louisville, Kentucky. Virginia was the Nebraska State Typing Champion in 1940 and during WWII at the age of 19 she went to Washington D.C. and worked in the Office of Price Administration. During her four year tenure, she typed letters and executive orders that were signed by President Roosevelt.
After WWII, Virginia returned to Nebraska, where she attended the University of Nebraska and participated in cancer research in the University of Nebraska lab. She married Richard Clark Keilstrup in Fremont, Nebraska and was proud mom of daughters Kimberly and Kourtney.

Her career also included working as secretary to prominent doctors, judges, and architects and in positions at Baker Oil Tools and Houston Independent School District. She earned her Certified Professional Secretary (CPS) credential at age 66, held officer positions in the Houston CPI chapter and was a past president of Alief AARP. A lifelong Presbyterian, she was a member of Grace Presbyterian Church and was a 65 year member of Eastern Star Grand Chapter of Nebraska (Beatrice). She was a devoted grandmother to Hunter and Sherri.

Preceded in death by her parents, husband Richard Keilstrup and sister Vivian Pillard, Virginia is survived by daughter Kimberly Keilstrup of Houston, Texas; daughter and son-in-law Kourtney and Ronnie Calhoun, of Houston, Texas; grandchildren, Hunter Calhoun of Boulder, Co. and Sherri Smetana and husband Andrew of Austin, Texas; three great grandchildren, Lily, Sophie and Henry Smetana; brother-in-law Dr. Duane Keilstrup and wife Glenda of Arlington, Texas, nieces, nephews and many friends.

Houston services will be at Forest Park Westheimer Funeral Home, visitation will be held Wednesday May 27, 2015, from 6PM – 8PM, and the funeral service will be 10AM, Thursday, May 28, 2015 in the chapel of Forest Park Westheimer Funeral Home. Reverend Mike Fry, Pastor, Grace Presbyterian Church, will officiate the service. Graveside services will follow the Thursday Funeral at 4PM at the East Boone Prairie Cemetery, near Franklin, Texas under the direction of McCauley Funeral Home. In recognition of Virginia's love for animals, memorials may be sent to CAPS (Citizens for Animal Protection).
The family would like to thank the loving and caring staff at Autumn Grove Cottage – Copperbrook . Special thanks to long-term caregivers Pam Ayers and Linda Lee who treated Mom like a queen and made such a difference in her life. Linda was a special blessing to our family these last few months.