Willie A. KEEN

KEEN, TOKHEIM, NELSON, REICHTER

Posted By: Sarah Thorson Little (email)
Date: 4/22/2010 at 11:43:39

Willie A. Keen was born at Eidsvoll, Norway, June 17, 1915, to Martin and Dagny Keen and was baptized at Eidsvoll Lutheran Church in Norway. He came to the United States with his parents at the age of two, and resided in Humboldt County, Thor, Iowa. He was confirmed in the Lutheran faith at Thor Ullensvang Church by Rev. Nervig. Willie attended Thor High School and spent his early years in construction work and then in farming. He was a veteran of World War II and spent four years in the service of his country, mostly in the Phillippine Islands. On November, 8, 1946, he was married to Mildred Tokheim at the Thor Lutheran Church. They have two children: Linda Keen, a parish worker at the First Lutheran Church of West Seattle and Gary Keen, at home, engaged in farming.

Survivors are his wife, Mildred, and two children: Linda and Gary; his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Martin Keen, Thor, Iowa; brothers: Lloyd M. Keen, St. Louis Park, Minn.; Duane A. Keen, Spencer; Richard E. Keen, Storm Lake; sisters: Mabel (Mrs. Wayne Nelson), Goldfield; Bernice (Mrs. Wendell Reichter), Goldfield. He was preceded in death by an infant sister, Ines.

Willie Keen, also called "Bill" by much of his family, was an active member of Thor Lutheran Church and belonged to the Thor American Legion Post 587. Mr. Keen passed away Monday, May 22, 1972 at 6:30 p.m. at University Hospital, Iowa City. He was 56 years and 11 months old. Military services by Thor American Legion Post were held at Thor Lutheran Church, May 25 at 2 p.m. Burial was at East Ullensvang Lutheran Cemetery with Pastor Ingebretson officiating. Mr. Keen had served as Legion Commander for a number of years.

Humboldt Republican, Humboldt, Iowa
June 07, 1972