TRAVERSE CITY — Elizabeth "Beth" Marie Keister, 56, of Traverse City, passed away Tuesday, March 20, 2012, with her loving husband at her side. Beth was born on Oct. 6, 1955, in Traverse City, to the late William R. and Beulah M. (Humpf) Braun. Beth met Christopher Bill Keister, and the two were married on June 8, 1985. On Feb. 9, 1989, their special daughter, Amy Ruth Keister was born. After Beth graduated from Central Michigan University she enjoyed teaching young people for over 30 years. The majority of her teaching career was spent at the Mesick Consolidated Schools.Beth loved walking and traveling with friends and sharing special moments together. She especially enjoyed her annual spring break pilgrimage with her family to Disney World and the Braun family reunion.What Beth meant to people was exemplified in a recent letter from one of her close friends. "The quality in you that not many people find in a friend "¦ your trust. You made it easy to let my guard down "¦ I could always trust in you!" The Keister family was especially proud and grateful that Beth chose to be part of their family. Beth was truly a wonderful woman and everyone who knew her will deeply miss her. Surviving Beth are her husband, Chris; daughter, Amy; brothers, Frederick W. Braun and K.C. Braun; in-laws, Katie Davison, of Belleview, Ky., Fred (Sarah) Keister, of Portage, Larry (Cheryl) Keister, of Warren, and Jeff (Gail) Keister, of West Branch; special friends, Alison Collins and Sallie Donovan; and several nieces, nephews, cousins and family from Wisconsin.A memorial service will be held for Beth on Saturday, April 7, 2012, at 1 p.m., with a visitation held one hour prior, at the First Congregational Church in Traverse City. Memorial contributions may be directed to the Amy Ruth Keister Special Needs Trust, c/o Chris Keister, 201 W. 15th Street, Traverse City, MI 49684. Please sign Beth's online guestbook at www.reynolds-jonkhoff.com . The family is being served by the Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home.