ELIZABETH ANN KEEN

Betty was born on Wilds Road in Sanborn Township on Nov. 22, 1934, coming into this world weighing 2 lbs 2 oz and spent the first few days of life in a shoebox on the oven door. She left this earth the way she came in, with a strong will to live. Betty attended four one-room schoolhouses (Ramey, Ossineke, Tolan, and Lee) and graduated from Catholic Central in 1952. After graduation she attended nursing school in Traverse City and worked as a nurse for 40 years, finishing her career at Alcona Health Center. On July 16, 1955, she married Robert Keen. She was a lifelong member of St. Catherine Catholic Church. Betty devoted her life to caring for others including assisting neighbors and friends with giving allergy shots, assessing cuts for stitches, and even delivering a baby that didn’t want to wait for the hospital. She loved nature, including birdwatching, snow shoeing, and gardening and was an avid baker, known for her homemade bread. However, Betty’s biggest joy in life was her family.

Surviving are her husband of 68 years, Robert; three children, Bill (Denise) Keen, Beth (George) Langenburg, Brad (Wendie) Keen; daughter-in-law, Kathy Keen; 11 grandchildren, Rob Keen, Jason (Kristen) Keen, Ryan Keen, Daniel (Jake Luker) Langenburg, Patrik (Beverly) Langenburg, Andy (Emily) Keen, Rebecca (Travis) McLean, Jaimen (Alexandra) Waha, Chris (Emily) Waha, Alexander Waha, Olivia Huhn-Tarvudd; 10 great-grandchildren, Elizabeth, Louise, Colton, Teagen, Nora, Molly, William, Cooper, Ben, Lucy; four siblings, Rosemary (Terry) Gallagher, Sister Elaine LaBell, Teresa (Paul) Koronka; Edward (Diane) LaBell; several nieces and nephews.

Mrs. Keen was preceded in death by a son, Robert (JR) Keen in 2013.

Memorial visitation will take place on Tuesday, Feb. 28 from 10 a.m. until the time of the Mass of Christian Burial at 12 p.m. with Rev.John Williams officiating at St. Catherine Catholic Church. Arrangements are being handled by the Bannan Funeral Home.

Inurnment: St. Catherine Cemetery

Memorials: St. Catherine Catholic Church or Sanborn Township First Responders