Keehn, Nelle C. 1911-2007

KEEHN, ANDERSON, WILLIAMS

Posted By: Linda Ziemann, volunteer (email)
Date: 2/22/2008 at 20:20:48

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. -- Nelle C. Keehn, 95, a resident of Sioux Falls the past nine years, passed away Saturday, Oct. 13, 2007.

Services will be 2 p.m. Tuesday at Porter Funeral Home in Hawarden, Iowa, with Pastor Larry Nilson officiating. Burial will be in Resthaven Cemetery at Le Mars, Iowa. Visitation will begin at noon Monday, with the family present an hour prior to the service on Tuesday, at the funeral home.

Nelle was born in Union County, S.D., to Peter D. and Emma J. (Williams) Anderson on Nov. 7, 1911. She grew up and attended grade school in the Hawarden area. She moved to Omaha in her teens and was employed at various packing houses during the Depression, later returning to her roots in Hawarden. She then moved to live on farms near Centerville, S.D., where she continued to raise her two daughters. On Sept. 5, 1951, she was united in marriage to Lloyd H. Keehn. To this union, two more daughters were born.

She was a devoted mother to her four girls, a busy housewife and business manager for her husband of nearly 50 years. He passed away in February 2001. She was also a faithful member of First Baptist Church, serving in many capacities, giving of her time and talents. Nelle was the prayer giver for her whole family and prayed for them daily.

Survivors include three daughters, Cornelia Hillrichs of Le Mars, Ivagene (Robert) Branstiter of Abbotsford, Wis., and Marjane (Richard) Burgard of Sioux Falls; five grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; and several nephews and nieces.

Nelle was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Lloyd; a daughter, Deborah Kay; two brothers; two sisters; six half brothers; a half sister; two grandsons, Mark Hillrichs and Greg Branstiter; and a son-in-law, Lowell Hillrichs.

~Source: Sioux City Journal, Sunday, October 14, 2007