2024 Torchlight Parade Marshal –
Debra Keller

Written by Brad Quarberg

As a native of La Crosse’s Northside, Debra Keller was ecstatic to find out she would be this year’s leader for the northside’s Torchlight Parade.

“I was humbled to be asked and excited to be able to do it,” she says.

After graduating from Logan High School in 1975, Keller earned a bachelor’s degree in education from UW-La Crosse, along with a master’s from Viterbo University. She spent three decades of teaching on the Northside: at Jefferson Elementary from 1985-2005, Franklin Elementary from 2005-09 and Northside Elementary from 2009-15.

Since retiring in 2015, Keller has been a substitute and interim teacher for the La Crosse School District and an adjunct professor at Viterbo University.

Keller has selected “Schools Make a Difference” as the theme for her button she will hand out to festgoers. She has seen firsthand schools strengthen families, while serving as a positive social influence.

“Schools truly change lives for the better,” she explains.

Keller recalls seeing the impact at Jefferson Elementary on Hmong refugees when they arrived in the 1980s, creating a safe and caring social setting for children from many diverse backgrounds. She says working with refugees was life changing.

“We successfully overcame the academic gap that existed between high poverty schools and higher socioeconomic schools by adopting the attitude that all kids can find success if given the support and tools they need,” she explains. “Jefferson was recognized as a Wisconsin Promise School for multiple years because of its success in academics and creative after-school programming before closing its doors in 2005.”

In retirement, Keller enjoys working at the Children’s Clothes Closet at Trinity Lutheran Church, which provides used and new clothing to kids in need. Another favorite is the church’s annual Northside Neighborhood Block Party which gathers neighbors for a night of free food, music and an opportunity to access positive community resource information.

“Kids in need receive new back-to-school shoes so that the first day they step into school with a bounce in their step,” she says. “The Block Party is a wonderful night of awesome camaraderie and family building.”

Becoming Torchlight Parade Marshal, Keller expects Oktoberfest will change a bit for her family that celebrates the festival as a family reunion. They maintain a spot every year on both Oktoberfest parade routes where family and friends gather.

“It’s a very intergenerational gathering,” she explains. “Last year our family’s kids and their friends’ kids filled the curbside route with a group larger than ever — from grandmas and grandpas to babies. It’s always a great time to connect and catch up with those special people in our lives.”

Keller says she and her husband, James, look forward to joining the Royal Family in their new roles.

“Meeting all the special people who gather in good cheer and friendship will be awesome,” she says.

Nominations for both parade marshals are accepted year-round at oktoberfestusa.com. Selection is based on someone who is well-respected with good character and has contributed positively to the good of the community through leadership and outstanding accomplishments.

Meet the 2024 Torchlight Parade Marshal

Name: Debra Keller

Spouse: James Keller

Family: Sons Anthony Keller, Matthew Keller, Robert Keller; daughter Kristen Martin;

grandchildren Norah Keller, Alayna Keller, Violet Martin, August Martin, George Martin.

Education: Logan High School; Bachelor of Science from UW-La Crosse; Master’s of Education from Viterbo University.

Retired educator: Jefferson Elementary, 1985-2005; Franklin Elementary, 2005-09; Northside Elementary, 2009-15, current substitute teacher for La Crosse School District and adjunct professor at Viterbo University

Volunteer work: Trinity Lutheran Church; From the Heart Food Pantry; Northside Children Clothes Closet; Monday Meals; various school-related activities and groups

Interests/Hobbies: Traveling; camping; hiking; water sports; family activities

Former Torchlight Parade Marshals