Diane I. (Haase) Keltner

Diane I. Keltner, age 84, passed away peacefully April 12, 2023 in Carmel, IN after battling dementia.  She was born February 27, 1939 in Saint Joseph, MI to Wilma (Antonovitch) and Alfred (Ace) Haase.

Diane was lovingly known to many as the “blue eyeshadow lady”.  Her love of bright colors showed in her dressing style and makeup, which was always impeccable, even up to her death. Her children jokingly called her “Baretta” as in the 1970’s TV show because she was always playing detective with them.  You couldn’t do anything that she wouldn’t find out about.

As a telephone operator for Michigan Bell, Diane worked to put her first husband, Richard Nelson, through medical school. Diane also worked as a receptionist at Cedarwood Medical Center in Saint Joseph, Michigan for more than 25 years. She loved shopping, traveling on the road with Jim in his semi-truck, riding scooters with Jim, watching true crime shows, vanilla ice cream and her beloved cats, Luna and Lulu. 

She is preceded in death by her husband, James (Jim) Keltner; daughter, Cindy Nelson; son, Scott Nelson (Elizabeth); and brother, Jerry Haase. 

Survivors include her children, Susan Van den Heuvel (Hans), and Steve Nelson; grandchildren, Justin McNitt (Cortney), Ashley Rabbers, Lance Nelson (Brianna), Luke Nelson, and Vaughn Nelson; great-grandchildren, MaKenna, Landon, Kaydon; sister, Brenda Shirley; niece, Karen West; and longtime dear friend, Carol D’loughy.

Special, heartfelt thanks to the angels at Paradigm Health hospice care, especially Natasha and Jessica, as well as the wonderful staff at Wellbrooke of Carmel who cared for her in memory care.

There will be no services locally. Diane will be laid to rest in Saint Joseph, Michigan at a later date.

Bussell Family Funerals is privileged to care for Diane and assist the family in arrangements.

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