Shirley R. Keil

Shirley R. Keil, 87 of Bellevue, died Friday, February 6, 2009 at Mill Valley Care Center, Bellevue. Services will be at 10:30 a.m., Monday, February 9 at St. John Lutheran Church, in Bellevue officiated by Pastor Paul Gammelin. Burial will be in St. John Cemetery. Friends may call from 3:00 to 7:00 p.m. Sunday, February 8 at Kingery ~Lemke Funeral Home and again Monday at church from 9:30 until service time. Shirley was born on August 30, 1921 in Rockford, IL, daughter of Earl and Mabel (Diel) Friels. She married Lavern Lefty Keil on October 25, 1941, he passed away on November 2, 1991. Shirley was a very special mother, grandmother and friend. She was kind, loving, and always there for those who needed her. Through out the years she was active as a homemaker, worker and volunteer. She worked at the Bellevue Creamery, owned and operated Shirleys Beauty Shop, sold Avon products, volunteered for the Meals on Wheels program, and owned and operated Keils Bait Shop for many years. Shirley had many interests, including socializing with friends, traveling, bingo, and trips to the casino. She also was talented in crafting, ceramics, and sewing. Her passion however, was spending time with her family, especially her grandchildren. Shirley was a wonderful person and will be deeply missed by all. Surviving are her three daughters, Julie (Wayne) Scheckel, of Bellevue, Jane (Dennis) Weinschenk, of Dubuque, and Jill (John) Ruggeberg, of Bellevue; nine grandchildren; 17 great grandchildren; one great-great grandchild; two sisters, Marion Matteson, of Norman Oklahoma and Margaret Friels, of Bellevue; and many nieces and nephews, including a special nephew, Andy Keef. She is preceded in death by her parents; husband; and great granddaughter, Miranda Carroll Scheckel The family would like to thank the caring staff of Mill Valley Care Center and Hospice of Jackson County for their special care and compassion shown to Shirley. Online condolences may be left for the family at www.kingeryfuneralhome.com.