Fifth Generation

28. Robert Clinton "Bob" KEENE was born on 8 November 1938 in Sparta, Sparta Township, Monroe County, WI.²⁶ He graduated in 1956 in Tomah, Tomah Township, Monroe County, WI.³⁴ from Tomah High School. He died on 21 November 2022 at the age of 84 in Tomah, Tomah Township, Monroe County, WI.³⁵ Obituary Notes: "Robert C. Keene of Tomah passed away on November 21, 2022, at the Serenity House. He was the youngest son of Richard and Gilma (Sutherland) Keene. He was born in Sparta on November 8, 1938.

He graduated from Tomah High School with the class of 1956. Robert joined the U.S. Navy in 1956 and was honorably discharged in 1959. After service, he came to work for his brother Jerry at the Band Box Cleaners & Laundry in Tomah. He retired from the Band Box on November 4, 2008. Robert married a fellow worker at the band Box, Joanne (Forrest), on October 25, 1964, at the Tomah Methodist Church.

Robert was a member of Tomah Masonic Lodge #132 and was Master in 1978. Served as Lodge Chaplain. He was a 32nd degree Mason and received his Red Cap in 2005. He belonged to York Rite in La Crosse and belonged to Smith Council #10, Smith Chapter #13 and Commandery #9. He received the Order of High Priesthood in 1970. He served as Past High Priest for Tomah Chapter #63 and Tomah-Sparta Chapter #19. He was the Grand Chapter of Royal Arch Masons Representative for the State of Idaho (lifetime appointment). A Charter Member of York Rite College #85. A member of ZOR Shrine Madison and served as Outer Guard in 2002. A member of La Crosse Shrine Club, Vernon Club and Mecca Club Tomah where he served as Club President for many years. He was area driver representative for children under treatment at Shrine Hospital.

During high school he worked summers at Keene’s Transfer. He was past President of the Tomah Jaycees and past president of Tomah Chamber of Commerce. He served the City of Tomah on the Citizens’ Advisory Committee. A member and secretary of the Police & Fire Commission and served on the Tomah Housing Authority. He was on the State of Wisconsin Welfare Reform Business Advisory Committee for Governor Tommy Thompson. He was a life member and lay speaker for First United Methodist Church, Tomah. Was a volunteer with over 36 years at the Tomah VA. Robert was Deputy Representative for the MSA at the VA. He served on the Wis Fabricare Institute board of directors. A 60-year member of the Textile Rental Services Association of America. A charter member of the Oak Grove Cemetery Foundation and past president. A current member of the Oak Grove Cemetery Association and a past president. He was an Ambassador for the Tomah Chamber of Commerce. Robert is a life member of AMVETS Post WI-2180.

Robert and Joanne enjoy traveling, working in the yard, and his grandchildren. Being a Mason and a Shriner and visiting at happy hour.

He is survived by his 2 daughters Terri Keene (fiancé Tony Keichinger, of Camp Douglas, and Kirstie (Al) Urbanek of Bangor, their children, Ashley (Brandon) Leiterman, Wendy (Jacob)Smutzer, and Abbie Urbanek, sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law, Janet (Tim) Frank, Jeff Forest, Leola Keene and Mary Forrest, many other relatives, and friends.

He was predeceased by parents, Richard and Gilma Keene, mother-in-law and father-in-law, Maynard Sr and Florence Forrest, brothers Tom, Jerry, sister-in-law, a brother-in-law, Maynard Forrest Jr., aunts and uncles in-laws, Laverne and Lloyd Cramer, and Lyle and Joyce Rodefer.

A Funeral Service will be held on Saturday, December 3, 2022, 11:00 AM at First United Methodist Church, 1105 Butts Ave, Tomah. Pastor Claudia Deede will officiate. Burial will be in the Oak Grove Memorial Garden with military honors. Relatives and friends are invited for a time of visitation on Saturday at the church from 10:00 AM until the time of the service.

A Masonic Service will be held on Friday, December 2, 2022, 4:00 PM at Sonnenburg Family Funeral Home, 801 E. Monowau Street, Tomah followed by a visitation until 8:00 PM."

Robert Clinton "Bob" KEENE and Joanne W. FORREST were married on 25 October 1964 in Tomah, Tomah Township, Monroe County, WI.^49,50 Joanne W. FORREST, daughter of Maynard Nelson FORREST and Florence Lowella RODEFER, was born on 25 September 1946 in Sparta, Sparta Township, Monroe County, WI.⁵⁰ She died on 18 May 2020 at the age of 73 in Tomah, Tomah Township, Monroe County, WI.⁵⁰

Obituary Notes: "Joanne W. Keene, 73, of Tomah died Monday, May 18, 2020, at the Touch of Home in Tomah. She was born Sept. 25, 1946, to Maynard and Florence (Rodefer) Forrest Sr., in Sparta. She grew up and lived in and around the Tomah area her whole life.

She graduated from the Tomah Senior High School. Before she graduated, she worked at the Band Box Cleaners, where she met the love of her life, Robert Keene. They were united in marriage Oct. 25, 1964, at the Tomah Methodist Church. They had two daughters, Kirstie Amanda and Terri Jo.

While raising her family she also worked. She was a bookkeeper at Christensen, Sund and Lund Accounting firm, a cashier for Ray Cram at Cram’s Supermarket, and a cook at the Interstate Restaurant of Hwy. 21, in North Tomah, for Buzz Osmond. She eventually went back to Band Box Cleaners and Laundry, where she managed the six Laundromats in Tomah, Sparta, Black River Falls and Mauston, Wis., until her retirement.

Joanne was active in the community as past president of the Tomah Jaycees and a member of Laureate Phi Chapter of Beta Sigma Phi Sorority, for many years. She served as Sorority president and always was the best hostess. She was also active with the Mecca Shrine Club, accompanying Robert on many trips and excursions and a member of the First United Methodist Church. She was also a caregiver for her mother-in-law, Gilma Keene, her sister-in-law, Margaret “Mac” Keene, and her mother, Florence Forrest. In between volunteering, working and care giving, she loved to travel with Robert and her girls. She traveled all over the world making many wonderful memories for her family to cherish.

Joanne is survived by her husband of 55 years, Robert of Tomah; two daughters, Terri Keene (fiancé, Tony Keichinger, of Camp Douglas) and Kirstie (Al) Urbanek of Bangor, their children, Ashley (fiancé, Brandon Leiterman) Urbanek, Wendy (special friend, Jacob) Urbanek, and Abbie Urbanek; a sister, Janet (Tim) Frank; a brother, Jeff Forest; two sisters-in-law, Leola Keene and Mary Forrest; many other relatives and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Maynard Sr. and Florence Forrest; a brother, Maynard Forrest Jr.; her father-in-law and mother-in-law, Richard and Gilma Keene; brothers and sister-in-law, Jerry and Margaret “Mac” Keene and Tom Keene; aunts and uncles, Laverne and Lloyd Cramer and Lyle and Joyce Rodefer.

Private family funeral services will be held. The public is invited for graveside services at 1:45 p.m. Friday, May 22, at the Oak Grove Memorial Garden. The public is encouraged to use CDC recommended guidelines for social distance and safety measures. Pastor Krista Deedee will officiate.

The Sonnenburg Family Funeral Home is assisting the family with the arrangements. Online condolences may be sent to www.sonnenburgfamilyfh.com.

Memorials may be given to The Tomah Hospice Touch, c/o Tomah Memorial Hospital, 321 Butts Ave., Tomah, WI 54660, and the Chasing Daylights Animal Shelter.

The family would also like to give their deep appreciation and thanks to the nursing staff at Tomah Health, Dr. Erickson and Dr. Saunders, Tomah Hospice, and the staff at Touch of Home."

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Robert Clinton "Bob" KEENE and Joanne W. FORREST had the following children: