Kathleen J. (Kate) Keller - Bourland, 76, of Effingham passed away at 11:39am, Thursday, May 26, 2011 at St. Anthony Memorial Hospital, Effingham. Visitation will be held on Wednesday, June 1^st , from 4 to 7 pm, at Bauer Funeral Home, Effingham, and one hour before the funeral service on Thursday, June 2^nd , at 10:30am, at the First Baptist Church, Effingham with Rev. Dr. Roger Marshall officiating. Memorials may be given to the "Courthouse Restoration Fund" of the Effingham County Cultural Center and Museum Restoration.

Kate was born August 5, 1934 at St. Anthony Hospital, Effingham the daughter of H.G. Keller and Beatrice (Fish) Keller. She married Benny D. Bourland January 13, 1951in Corinth, Mississippi.

She is survived by her loving husband of 60 years, Ben; son, Gayland (Shawn) of Effingham ; daughter Benjie (Dennis) Pardick of Gibson City, Illinois; daughter Marla Bourland of Effingham; son Bevin of Effingham and 12 grandchildren; Jacob Bourland, Molly Bourland, Emily Pardick, Betsy (Pete) Nielsen; Abby Pardick, C.W. Woods, Shar'les Woods, Michael Woods, Taylor Bourland, Jolynn Bourland, and Nikki Bourland; great-grandchildren; Andrew, Dakota, Dexter, and Allie. Also surviving, brother Ted (Tina) Keller of Effingham, sister Nancy (David) Lewis of Sandpoint, Idaho, and numerous nieces, nephews, and her favorite uncle, Art Fish of Effingham.

Kate was a member of First Baptist Church, Effingham. She was owner of Keller's Town and Country Furniture and very active in the Effingham County Cultural Center and Museum Association. Other memberships included; the Effingham County Genealogical and Historical Society, Effingham County National Road Museum Association, Zonta Culb, University of Illinois Mom's Association, St. Anthony's Hospital Auxiliary, and Eastern Star. She was an avid amateur local and family historian, historical book collaborator, and loved to talk to anyone about anything. She especially enjoyed researching the local courthouse and Poor Farm projects, knitting, talking about her children and grandchildren, playing with her dog "Lady" and aggravating her husband of 60 years.

She was preceded in death by her parents and aunt, Evon Fish.