Mary was born in Manning, Iowa, and received her education in the Manning Community School where she graduated in 1941. After completing her education she taught school for a short time in a rural Manning School. On October 25, 1942, Mary was united in marriage to Kenneth Keat in Omaha, Nebraska. The couple made their home on a farm near Manning, until purchasing a farm near Manilla. They were blessed with the birth of five children.

She enjoyed camping and traveling with her husband in their 5th wheel, wintering in Texas, Florida, and other states. She also liked to socialize and fish with the other campers on the campground. After the death of her husband, she continued camping in Florida as well as with her grandchildren. Mary loved to watch soap opera. Her favorite was "The Young and the Restless". She also loved going on walks and enjoyed nature and she would frequently go off by herself to find a peaceful spot to sit and observe wildlife. While enjoying nature, she would capture the moments of the peace and quiet that she needed to get through the rest of the day. She loved to play cards, collect salt and pepper shakers, and loved her cat Sweetie Pie. Mary also loved sports and she enjoyed attending her grandchildren's sporting and school events.

Mary was preceded in death by her parents and her husband; one son Dr. Dan; one daughter Barbara; three brothers George, and Frank, and Howard. Survivors include one daughter, Deb; two sons, Rev. Jim and his wife, Julie; Rev. Kenny Jr. and his wife, Kathy; 10 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren; other relatives and friends.

Funeral Services were held at 3 P.M., Tuesday, April 8, 2014, at Our Savior Lutheran Church in Denison, Iowa. Rev. David Loeschen officiated the service and graveside rites were held at Manning Cemetery, Manning, Iowa. Organist Mary Kuhlmann provided accompaniment for congregational hymns, "I Know That My Redeemer Lives," "Rock of Ages, Cleft For Me," "Lord Thee I Love With All My Heart." Serving as honorary pallbearers were Bethany Matthias, Jess Kast-Keat, Jonathan Keat, Kristi Broders, Amy Rosauer, Jennifer Beck, Kristen Lipke, Bill Lipke, Donna Keat. Serving as pallbearers were Adam Rosauer, Jim Kast-Keat, Timothy Teut, Eric Matthias, Jeff Broders, Kody Keat, Taylor Teut, Dan Beck. The family invites everyone to return to the church for fellowship and lunch provided by Hy-Vee and served by the Ladies Aid. The Hubner Funeral Home of Schleswig was in charge of arrangements.

I'm occasionally adding the actual scanned image of the obituary I make using my VERY expensive - large commercial scanner, and/or also other articles about the deceased person that were published in the Manning Monitor.
I want to also comment about people who are taking my obituaries, pictures, and/or other articles about a person/family and posting them on other websites.
You do NOT have permission or the right to do this - you are stealing my historical work.
Buy your own scanning equipment, pay for memberships to other commercial websites, and spend decades working on your local history like I have - then you'll understand why I'm making these comments!
Thank you for your attention to this matter - Dave Kusel

November 5, 1942, Manning Monitor

October 29, 1942, Manning Monitor