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Heidi Cherie Keele, 45

After a sudden and fierce battle with cancer, Heidi Cherie Keele, 45, finished her earthly race on Oct. 11, 2018. 2 Timothy 4:7 “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.”

In her final days, Heidi demonstrated her peace and confidence by telling each of her loved ones that even though she would not have chosen this for herself, she accepted her death knowing that God’s perspective and plans are far beyond our limited comprehension. She encouraged each person to move on with life and follow Jesus, putting God first in everything.

Heidi was born to Monte and Gail Miller in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, on Oct. 21, 1972. She spent most of her childhood in Post Falls, Idaho, and moved to Oregon, where she graduated from Baker City High School in 1990. She then attended New Tribes Bible Institute in Waukesha, Wis., where she met Ben Keele. They were married Dec. 30, 1992.

Heidi’s life was packed full of adventure as she worked tirelessly toward her many goals. She and Ben worked as missionaries in Thailand for eight years. When she returned to Idaho, she earned her bachelor of science in justice studies. She completed the strenuous training for law enforcement and became a reserve officer at the Coeur d’Alene Police Department. In the fall of 2016, she took on Gonzaga Law School. She was fastidious in all of her studies and ranked near the top of her class. The cancer kept her from completing her last year, but she was given her honorary law degree and an honorary membership in the Idaho State Bar on Oct. 10, 2018. She did all of this while she raised a family, worked full time, engaged in her community and church, took self-defense classes, ran half marathons and made sure everyone took time to have fun.

Heidi had a meaningful impact on the lives of the people she met in these many endeavors, and she was a pillar of encouragement to everyone in her life. The source of Heidi’s abundant life was her relationship with her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. She knew that “to live is Christ, to die is gain” (Philippians 1:21) and she placed her confidence in that truth to her last day. Heidi was a courageous fighter who was full of grace and grit. She displayed her strength of character in life’s most difficult moments. She is more than a conqueror in Christ and a true reflection of his life and love.

Heidi was preceded in death by her personal hero and father, Monte Miller. She is survived by her devoted husband of 25 years, Ben Keele and her four children, Amber Keele, Callie (Alex) Galford, Ethan Keele and Sierra Keele; her mother, Gail Miller; her four siblings, Aaron (Amy) Miller, Sharis (Andy) Peak, Nathan (Megan) Miller and Tammi (Diego) Morales; as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

We are heartbroken but not without hope. We will miss our Mighty Heidi, and we know we will see her again one day.

There will be a celebration of her life at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 17, at Coeur d’Alene Bible Church, 5350 N. Fourth St., Coeur d’Alene, ID.