Julia Anne Oyen-Keller, passed away on November 1, 2023, in Lexington, Kentucky at the age of 84 after a battle with dementia. A beloved mother, sister, grandmother, and teacher, she was born Julia Anne Tempel on July 20, 1939, in Granite City, Illinois. Julie is survived by her son David (David) Oyen, her daughter Elizabeth (William) Cain, her brother Carl (Debbie) Tempel, her brother Phillip (Carol) Tempel, and her granddaughter Tabitha Cain. She was preceded in death by her father Clarence Herbert Tempel, her mother Charlotte Carlson Tempel, her first husband William Dean Oyen, her second husband Charles Warren Keller, and her brother Thomas (Carol) Tempel.

In 1957, Julie graduated from Granite City Senior High School in Illinois before pursuing higher education, earning a Bachelor of Music Education from Simpson College in Indianola, Iowa, followed by a Master of Music Education from the University of Illinois. Julie had a long career as an Elementary music teacher from 1961 to 2000 in school districts in Iowa, Illinois, and Missouri. For many years she also served as a member and also as president of her local teacher's union. In this role she was an advocate for her fellow teachers and assisted in salary negotiations. She retired in 2000 from the University City Schools. Outside her professional life, Julie found joy in her hobbies. Julie enjoyed choral singing, and also had a deep appreciation for listening to classical music, both live and recorded. A voracious reader, she immersed herself in the world of literature. She was an active member of the First Unitarian Church of St. Louis, Missouri and a member of the choir for several years. She also participated in church trips to Spain and Transylvania. Julie was steadfast and determined to be physically healthy. She consistently participated in group exercise classes such as aerobics, pilates and yoga throughout her life until her early 80's when her health declined.

Julie's strong desire to make a positive contribution for children continued after she retired from teaching. She volunteered her time with the Court Appointed Special Advocates of St. Louis, mentoring and advocating for children in the foster care system. In this role she would spend time with children and also their parents and report back to CASA regarding the children's physical, mental and educational needs, relationship with the parents, relationship to their court appointed guardians and also just have fun with the kids. She would create reports, interact in meetings and have emails and phone calls with social workers and attorneys and sometimes share her observations in court. We know that many times this was not easy work, but certainly a very noble worthy cause.

As a mother to David and Liz, she did the great majority of the shuttling to and from music lessons, doctor's appointments, art classes, swim team practices and swim meets and later band practices. She did all these things while working full time and rarely missed an event.

She was a very enthusiastic supporter of David's musical career, encouraging him to go to Germany to study and to pursue his advanced degrees in bassoon. She attended as many of his performances as possible and celebrated his achievements. Julie also regularly enjoyed family time with her brothers, inlaws, nieces and nephews, as well as Warren's grandchildren. She was joyful and amazed to become a grandmother at the age of 71. Her enthusiasm and love for Tabitha was felt by all. She made many trips to visit and love on her grandbaby. Julie's warm presence, love for her family, love for music, dedication to education and her efforts to help foster children will be missed by all who knew her. Her memory will live on in the hearts of her family, friends, and the countless students whose lives she touched.

The memorial service will be held on Saturday November 18 at 10:00am, Sunset Hill Funeral Home and Cemetery, Glen Carbon, IL. Donations in memory of Julia Oyen-Keller may be made to CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) of St. Louis or the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra.