Norma Keller Of 'Norma K III' In Point Pleasant Beach Dies

POINT PLEASANT BEACH – Norma Keller, the owner of the Norma K III party boat in Point Pleasant Beach that has been one of the most recognizable fishing boats at the Jersey Shore, died this week, the Pable Evertz Funeral Home said. She was 80.

Keller was the owner of Ken’s Landing and Norma K Fishing in Point Pleasant Beach, a business which was founded by her father in 1932. She died just months after he husband passed away, according to the Pable Evertz Funeral Home.

Keller was born in Point Pleasant to the late John and Myrtle Kennell, and she lived there and in Brick and for the past 54 years.

She was predeceased by her beloved husband, Kenneth “Captain Ken” Keller; and brother, John “Captain Jack” Kennell.

Her brother, John "Captain Jack" G. Kennell, died in 2015. He was partner, owner, and operator of Ken's Landing Marina and United States Coast Guard Sea Captain of the Norma-K Fishing Fleet, a business started by his father in 1934.

Their father, John Kennell Sr., moved to the Point Pleasant Beach from Passaic in the late 1920s, and after he built a house, he helped begin their fishing boat business that's been one of the popular atthe Jersey Shore, according to the family's website.

John purchased a charter boat, rented slips to other charter boats, and he named his dock Ken's Landing. He eventually named each boat after his daughter, but all the subsequent boats were named Norma-K, or Kennell. according to the website.

The original or "the little" Norma-K was purchased in 1957 and was the first boat in the Norma-K Fleet to sail as an "open party boat," according to the website.

The 45 footer was captained by a 21-year-old man named Ken Keller. In 1975, the family sold the "little" Norma-K and purchased the fleet's flagship: a 95-foot Gulf Craft built in Louisiana called the Norma-K III, according to the website.

Norma enjoyed eating out, going to Mueller’s Bakery, having a good milkshake, taking drives just to get out of town for the day to clear her head, and she loved sitting on the bench at her dock and watching the boats go out, according to her obituary.

Surviving are her daughter, Sharon E. Keller-Kaas, and husband, Brad of Point Pleasant. Also surviving are her grandchildren, Maile Hawryluk and Nani Hawryluk; and nieces, nephews, and friends.

Interment at Greenwood Cemetery, Brielle, will be held privately.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in her memory to he Point Boro First Aid Squad www.squad35.org

For condolences to the family please visit www.pableevertzfuneralhome.com