Joan Rose Keller-Wilhite, born June 28, 1931 in Idaho Falls, Idaho, daughter of John Mathew Keller and Mary Ethel Gergen, passed away peacefully surrounded by family on April 12, 2018. Joan grew up in Idaho Falls, attended Holy Rosary Catholic School and graduated from Idaho Falls High School in 1949. She went on to graduate from the Dental Nurses Training School of San Francisco.

In her youth, Joan enjoyed ice skating at Tautphaus Park, growing up as a "free range child", riding horses and general shenanigans with her cousins and brothers who remained her best friends and confidants throughout the rest of her life.

During her high school years, she worked at the Paramount Theater as an usher, a job she cherished and lead to her passion for classic movies and musicals. She worked at the test site for several years before meeting the love of her life, Dean Wilhite. Joan was married to Dean on February 7, 1953, in the Holy Rosary Catholic Church. She spent the next 18 years of her life devoted to Dean and raising their seven children. She was an excellent seamstress and enjoyed making dresses for the girls, shirts for the boys and pajamas for everyone! She also enjoyed baking, and most days, the smell of fresh bread and cinnamon rolls filled the home. She was a member of the Altar Society and coached the girl's volleyball team at Holy Rosary. Later Joan and Dean divorced.

Joan moved to Las Vegas where she met and married Jack Adelman in 1975. She worked at the Circus Circus Hotel and Casino for 30 years. During that time, she developed many lifelong friendships and also loved meeting and chatting with people from all over the world. She retired in Missouri to spend time with family and friends where she learned the art of quilting. Several years later she returned to Idaho Falls where her roots ran deep. During the long winter months, she enjoyed knitting and was an avid reader. She also loved being outside in the summer with her flowers, and the pride of her yard was her driveway lined with pink roses. Joan always had a Shih-Tzu canine companion close by her side wherever her travels took her. Shortly after moving back to Idaho Falls, her husband, Jack Adelman passed away. She was quick witted, stylish and funny with a hearty laugh and will be missed by all whose life she touched.

She is survived by her brother Jack, and her seven children: Jeffery Wilhite, Dana Wilhite, Mathew Wilhite, Rita Dempsey (Doug), Paula Adkins (Tony), Anna Lugar (Robert), Lisa Copeland (Kirk) and her beautiful Shih-Tzu Dolly. Grandchildren: Justin, Jennifer, Joyell, Damien, Daniela, Kaz, Mattie Jo, Grace, Joanna, Audrey, Alex, Savannah, Jessica, Shelby and Kellen, her beloved great nieces, Lindsay, Tiffany and Brittany. Joan had sixteen great-grandchildren, one on the way and two great-great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents John and Mary, brothers Kenneth, Robert, Charles and niece Karmen, Dean Wilhite and Jack Adelman.

Funeral Mass will be held at 11:00 a.m., Friday, April 20, 2018, at Holy Rosary Catholic Church, 905 S. Lee. A visitation will be from 5:00-6:00 p.m., with Rosary at 6:00 p.m., Thursday, April 19, 2018 at Coltrin Mortuary, 2100 First Street. Burial will be at Rose Hill Cemetery. Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.coltrinmortuary.com .