Providence Sister Joseph Ellen (Rosemary Ellen) Keitzer, 92, died Aug. 23 in Providence Health Care in St. Mary-of-the-Woods, Indiana.

Born in Hammond, Indiana, she entered the Sisters of Providence in 1951 and professed final vows in 1959. She earned a bachelor’s degree from St. Mary-of-the-Woods College and a master’s degree from Ball State University, both in music.

During her 75 years of religious life, she ministered as a music teacher for 23 years in New Hampshire, Illinois, Indiana and California. In the Archdiocese of Chicago, she taught at St. David (1958-1961) and St. Angela (1976-1987).

In 1987, she moved into parish work, serving as a pastoral associate (1987-2005) and director of religious education (1987-2001) at St. Angela Parish in Chicago for 18 years.  She retired in 2005 but stayed in the area for 17 more years as a volunteer, supporting the parishioners as parishes in the area closed and merged.

She moved to the motherhouse in 2023, continuing her ministry of prayer for the people of the former St. Angela Parish.