Gwendoline R. (Drage) Keister

Gwendoline Rosemary (Drage) Keister

Gwen died peacefully Thursday, March 9, 2023, at 10:38 a.m. surrounded by family and friends.

She was born on December 4, 1940, in Irchester England.  She was 82 years old.

She was preceded in death by her parents, John and Gwendoline (Rollings) Drage; four brothers, John, Paul, Lenard, and Richard; and one sister, Jose.

On May 28, 1967, Gwendoline married the late Glen Eugene Keister of Beavertown who predeceased her on June 8, 2015.  She met Glen during his military deployment for the United States Air Force.

They bought their first and only home on the corner of Railroad and Orange Streets in Beavertown where they lived for 47 years.

In addition to being a housewife and mother, she worked at The Shoe Factory in Beaver Springs, Saylor’s Sewing Factory in Beavertown, JPM in Beaver Springs, and the family business, Keister’s Keys, of Beavertown and Selinsgrove.

Her favorite past times were shopping, gardening, baking, playing board games and cards, knitting and crocheting, and watching game shows.  And, we must not forget The MAC where she loved to Strutt & Stroll and Silver Sneakers.

Her community service was being involved with the Beavertown Rescue Hose Ambulance and the local 4-H giving sewing lessons.

Gwen is survived by one brother, Phil Drage and his wife Ali; sister-in-law, Rae Drage; and many nieces and nephews all of England.

She is also survived by her four children and their families, daughter Tracy Wilhelm and her husband Brian of Milroy, Tracy’s sons Cale Dietz and his wife Megan and Andrew Ewing and his wife Shawna, Tracy’s grandsons Caden Dietz and Mason Dietz; son Alan Keister and his wife Sheri of Middleburg, Alan’s sons Travis Keister and his wife Chelsea and Jacob Keister and his wife Samantha; daughter Gail Hanselman and her husband Greg of Middleburg, Gail’s daughter Riley and Gail’s son Hunter; and daughter Beth Shambach and her husband Wayne of Kreamer, Beth’s son Brandon Keister and his wife Lisa, Brandon’s sons Bryson, Matthew, and Spencer, and Beth’s daughter Courtney Kreider.

Gwen lived the last five years at Wynwood House in State College, where she had a wonderful and caring family.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in loving memory of Gwen may be sent to 365 Hospice, LLC, 220 Regent Ct., State College, PA 16801.