Ralph Thomas Keenan - 1913-1990

KEENAN, BUGGY, JOY

Posted By: Connie Ellis (email)
Date: 7/20/2011 at 17:44:29

SOURCE: Waukon, Iowa WAUKON STANDARD, February 6, 1990
Contributor: Connie Ellis (Not related)

Lifetime area Waukon, Iowa resident Ralph Thomas Keenan, age 76, died Wednesday, January 31, 1990 at his daughter's home in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Funeral services were held at 11 a.m. Friday, February 2 at St. Patrick's Catholic Church. Father Ed Lechtenberg officiated. Burial was in the Mt. Olivet Cemetery with military graveside rites. Martin Funeral Home of Waukon was in charge of arrangements. Casket bearers were John Campbell, Matt Ryan, John Kerndt, James Klenske, Kevin Keenan, and John Keenan.

Ralph was born December 11, 1913 in Dubuque, Iowa to Thomas James and Elizabeth (Buggy) Keenan. He graduated from the Waukon High School and Waukon Junior College. He attained the rank of corporal while serving in the Army during World War II. From 1943 to 1945 he served in Northern France, Rhineland, and Central Europe with the 231st AAF. On September 29, 1949 he married Barbara Joy at St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Waukon. Barbara died August 30, 1978. He was a mail carrier for 18 years, worked at Sullivan and Klenske Drug Store for over 25 years, and was a bookkeeper for Impro and McMillan "66". He was a member of St. Patrick's Church, its Rosary Society, the VFW, and National Rural Letter Carriers Association.

He was preceded in death by his wife, a sister, Margaret, a brother Richard Keenan, and a niece, Andrea Keenan.

Surviving are two daughters, Patricia Keenan of Champaign, Illinois, and Paula Keenan of Cedar Rapids, Iowa; a grandson, Justin; a sister, Marion Keenan of Waukon, Iowa and a brother, Walter Keenan of Rawlins, Wyoming.