Jane Ellen Keltsch's Obituary
Jane L. Keltsch, 96, of Fort Wayne, passed away on Tuesday, April 15, 2025, at the Towne House, Fort Wayne. She was surrounded by family during her weeklong illness. Mrs. Keltsch was born Sept. 10, 1928, in Fort Wayne to Lawrence C. and Elsie (Bennhoff) Lindenberg. She attended Harrison Hill School here and graduated in 1946 from Shortridge High School in Indianapolis. An outstanding student with a vivacious personality, she was a leader at Indiana University and president of her sorority, Alpha Xi Delta. She graduated in 1950 with a B.S. in education and an offer from Indianapolis Public Schools to teach 4th grade. Always busy, Mrs. Keltsch raised three children in Fort Wayne with husband Robert F. Wight. A year after his death in 1971, she remarried Donald R. Keltsch, becoming a loving stepmother to his four children. She supported each child -- and their children and pets -- encouraging all to pursue their unique talents and interests. Her deep faith made her fearless. She learned to fly in the 1960s, competing in races for women pilots and winning awards. She and Don blended their families and created a loving environment at their Crooked Lake cottage. After his death in 1992, she continued their traditions and managed the cottage well into her 80s. She was an enthusiastic community fundraiser because she was certain every donor she approached would be as thrilled as she was to make Fort Wayne better. A lifelong Lutheran, Jane believed actions speak louder than words and dedicated much of her energy to expanding culture and serving children in Fort Wayne. She helped lead the Christmas Bureau, Philharmonic, Museum of Art and more. She served eight years on the Indiana Arts Commission. She was awarded Panhellenic Woman of the Year in 1972, Sagamore of the Wabash in 1995 and in 2015 the Thieme Award for Outstanding Service to the Museum of Art, where she gave guided tours to 75,000 children over the years. Ever the teacher, she tutored at Study Connection and the Literacy Alliance. In 2015, she moved to the Towne House where she enjoyed a vibrant social life and the companionship of dear friends. By 2020, dementia reshaped her life and for the past two years she flourished in the accepting, loving environment of Towne Square.
Mrs. Keltsch is survived by her children, Linda (Tim) Wight Harmon, Wendy Wight and Glen (Kim) Wight; stepchildren, Steve (Ann) Keltsch, Karen (Bob) Butler Jones and Susan (Rod) Hoffman; daughter-in-law, Jennie Keltsch; grandchildren, Catherine (CJ Buehner) Harmon, Libby (Derek) Newman, Laura Harmon, Christopher (Erica) Wight, Patrick Wight, Stephanie (Nick) Schroeder, Michael (Nicole) Keltsch, Kristine Keltsch, Sean Keltsch, Jessica (Jeremy Small) Robinson, Stacey (Chris) Corlew, Adam (Elizabeth) Hoffman, Allison (Zach) Blust, Emily Powell and Chad Lewton; 21 great-grandchildren; nieces, Betsy (Rob) Nicolli, Ellen (John) McMahon and Ginny Graves; and the family of her companion, Fred Beckman, Maribeth (Kevin) Leininger and Tom (Chris Jacob) Beckman. She was preceded in death by her beloved parents, Lawrence C. and Elsie Lindenberg; husbands, Robert F. Wight and Donald R. Keltsch; the sister she adored, Ruth (Philip) Heywood; stepson, Richard Keltsch; stepson-in-law, Rodney Butler; and companion, Fred Beckman.
Funeral service is 12 pm, Saturday, April 26, 2025, at Trinity English Lutheran Church, 450 W. Washington Blvd., Fort Wayne with visitation one hour prior to service. Reception is to follow for family and friends from 1 to 3 pm at Fort Wayne Museum of Art, 311 E Main St, Fort Wayne. Burial in Lindenwood Cemetery, Fort Wayne. In lieu of flowers, preferred memorials to the Fort Wayne Museum of Art, PBS Fort Wayne and Trinity English Lutheran Church. For online condolences please visit www.harperfuneralhome.com
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