Fifth Generation

27. Jerry Russell KEENE was born on 16 March 1931 in Sparta, Sparta Township, Monroe County, WI.^26,47 He died on 21 March 2016 at the age of 85 in Tomah, Tomah Township, Monroe County, WI.⁴⁸

Obituary Notes: "Jerry Keene, 85, of Tomah died Monday, March 21, 2016. According to Jerry’s wishes, a private memorial service will be held at Torkelson Funeral Home.

All are welcome to celebrate Jerry’s life from 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday, April 2, at Burnstad’s European Restaurant in Tomah."

From an article in the Tomah Journal: "Jerry Keene could always be found in a plain, pressed white shirt. Wearing a white shirt, said Tomah Municipal Court Judge Tom Flock, is something he always remembered about Keene — no matter how hot it was outside, Keene was never without a white, long-sleeve dress shirt.

Flock met Keene in 1973 as the Tomah Fire Chief after a fire engulfed part of Band Box Cleaners & Laundry, which Keene founded in 1956. “I got to know him from that and when we worked on the (new) sprinkler system and the remodeling,” Flock said. “We got to be friends, and he always had a kind word to say. I remember I never saw him without a pressed white shirt and a tie. He owned a dry cleaning business and had that luxury. But I never saw him without one on, no matter how hot it was, as long as I’ve known him.”

Keene, born March 16, 1931, died at age 85 March 21. He was proceeded in death by his wife Margaret and is survived by this three children — Renee Goetzka, Richard Keene and Barbara Heimgartner.

He was a kind man who cared about people and the community, Flock said.
“(Keene) was very involved in the community and cared about Tomah and how it progressed and moved on,” he said. “He cared about people and just always wanted to be involved in the community and was a business leader and a big employer. He was an all-around good guy ... he always seemed to have time to talk to you.”

Band Box CEO John Tessman worked with Keene for 32 years. Tessman described Keene as his mentor. “We worked together for 32 years and had a very good business relationship, and I always looked to him as a mentor for all those years,” he said. “He had such a strong work ethic and was an individual of high standards and had a very good business sense. He truly inspired myself.”

Tessman said Keene also had an impact on a number of people in the Tomah business community — particularly students. “I believe he impacted a great number of people,” he said. “The students he employed when they were going to high school and college, he always got them off on the right foot when they looked at how a business ran.”

One thing Tessman said he would always remember about Keene was his Purple Heart veteran truck that he rode during parades. “He was very proud of the time he served and those that had served,” he said. “He had a Purple Heart veteran truck at all the parades, and it always gave him a smile when he saw that going down the road.”

Keene also served as a member of Tomah Rotary and a member of the Tomah Chamber of Commerce and Convention and Visitor’s Bureau, where he was a member for 37 years. Tina Thompson, president/CEO of the Tomah Chamber, said Keene will be missed. She described him as a “valued partner and community member.” “(We) are saddened by the loss,” Thompson said. “His contributions throughout Tomah are lasting. He will long be remembered for his service to our area veterans. The Tomah Chamber sends their condolences to the family of Jerry Keene.”

.

Jerry Russell KEENE and Margaret "Mac" MCCABE were married on 4 August 1954 in Tomah, Tomah Township, Monroe County, WI.^7,47 Margaret "Mac" MCCABE, daughter of Benedict MCCABE and Rose LANNON, was born on 1 September 1929 in Decorah, Winneshiek County, IA.^7,28 She died on 10 December 2008 at the age of 79 in Tomah, Tomah Township, Monroe County, WI.⁷

Obituary Notes: "Margaret M. (Mac) Keene, age 79, of Tomah, WI, passed away on Wednesday, Dec. 10, 2008, at her home, assisted by Tomah Hospice, after a long battle with cancer. She was born on Sept. 1, 1929, to Benedict and Rose (Lannon) McCabe in Decorah, IA. She was a 1948 graduate of Decorah High School.

Mac was proud to have put herself through nurses training at the St. Mary’s School of Nursing in Milwaukee, WI, and graduated in 1951. She started her career at the Tomah VA Hospital. Mac later moved to California and worked at St. Mary’s Hospital in San Francisco for one year. She then moved back to Wisconsin where she worked at St. Mary’s Hospital in Madison while continuing her education. On her birthday in 1952, she met her future husband, Jerry Keene, in Tomah while he was home on leave from the military. They were united in marriage on Aug. 7, 1954, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Tomah. In 1956, they purchased Band Box Cleaners and Laundry Service.

Mac was a dedicated member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church and belonged to the choir. She loved crafting and writing poetry. She had 50 years of service with Beta Sigma Phi Sorority. She loved traveling and had the trip of her lifetime to Europe. She had a life-size traveling companion named Hecter, a doll that she would often jokingly travel with. Mac had a loving personality that brightened her family and friends’ lives.

She is survived by her husband, Jerry; children, Renee (Kary) Goetzka, Richard (Sophia) Keene and Barbara Keene Heimgartner; grandchildren, Tricia (Victor) Foster, Michael Goetzka, Ann Keene, Brian Keene, Michael Keene, Dylan Heimgartner and Matthew Heimgartner; a brother, Sylvester Anthony (Jan) McCabe; nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents, one sister, four brothers and a grandchild.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Saturday, Dec. 20, 2008, at 2 p.m. at St. Mary Immaculate Conception Catholic Church. The Very Rev. Steven J. Kachel will officiate. Burial will follow in the Oak Grove Cemetery, Tomah. Family and friends are invited for visitation Friday, Dec. 19, from 4 p.m. until 7 p.m. with a 4 p.m. rosary led by the Parish Council of Catholic Women at the Torkelson Funeral Home in Tomah. Family and friends are also invited for visitation on Saturday, Dec. 20, from 1 p.m. until the time of service at the church. The Torkelson Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements. Memorials may be given to the St. Mary’s Catholic Church in memory of Mac."

Jerry Russell KEENE and Margaret "Mac" MCCABE had the following children: