Louise Barthold was born on February 7, 1931 near Winnetka, Illinois, the youngest child of Walter Barthold and Josephine Salmon, immigrants from Europe.

She graduated from nearby New Trier High School in 1949 and earned a Bachelor's degree in English at Northwestern University in 1953. In 1954 she married Charles David Keeling, who in 1956 was hired by Scripps Institute of Oceanography, in La Jolla, California, and worked there measuring global carbon dioxide levels and trends for the next 49 years until his death in 2005. Louise and Dave settled in nearby Del Mar where they raised five children, and lived the rest of their lives there apart from three year-long stays in Europe (during Dave's sabbatical leaves) and summers in the Bitterroot Valley of Montana (1986 to 2017).

First and foremost a wife, mother and homemaker, Louise also worked full or part time for several decades in education, and was quite active in community affairs and organizations. Between about 1973 and 1991, she was first a teacher's aide at Oak Crest Junior High School, and later worked in the attendance office and career center at Torrey Pines High School. At Torrey Pines, she developed and ran a program for vocational career orientation.

Music was an important part of her life and family. Her parents were both musical as were her siblings growing up, her husband (a pianist) and her five children. Louise also sang alto with the UCSD Madrigal Singers (now La Jolla Renaissance Singers), which Dave Keeling directed in the 1960s, and in a Sweet Adeline quartet. Four-part singing was a regular feature in the Del Mar family as well, especially during Christmastime.

At UC San Diego, she wrote for the Oceanids newsletter, and volunteered at the International Center. In Del Mar she served on the Commercial Task Force, one of several citizens committees contributing to the 1974-75 drafting of what become known as the Del Mar Community Plan. She was also a volunteer at Del Mar Community Connections, a financial and occasional creative contributor to the Sandpiper newsletter, and a Brownie (Girl Scouts) leader.  

Louise was known and admired for being grounded, calm, attentive and warm, with a wry sense of humor and a talent for good conversation. Her warm and welcoming home attracted numerous visitors over the decades from many corners of the world and across all generations.

Louise Barthold Keeling died peacefully on August 29, 2026 at her home in Del Mar, at age 95. She is survived by her five children, eleven grandchildren, one great-grand child, and ten nephews and nieces.

Preparations are being made for a memorial gathering in Del Mar.

Condolences to the family may be mailed to c/o Ralph Keeling, 2967 Briand Ave, La Jolla, CA 92122. For those desiring to make memorial donations, the family suggests Del Mar Community Connections, The Sandpiper and/or the Keeling Curve Foundation.

Remembrance shared by Drew Keeling with assistance from Ralph, Eric, and Paul Keeling, and Emily Takahashi.