Obituary for Walter F. Keenan

Walter F. Keenan, 89, was a quiet and generous man who delighted others with his quick wit and intelligence. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather and a friend to many. Early on January 8, 2009 he slipped gently away from this life, dying in his own bed in his own home, as he had wished. Walter was the sole surviving grandson of illustrious Allamakee County pioneer, Patrick Keenan. Born October 14, 1919, in La Crosse, WI, he was the youngest child of Thomas J. Keenan and Elizabeth (Buggy) Keenan. He lived on the family farm near Rossville, IA until the family moved into Waukon, where he graduated from St. Patrick''s High School and later studied accounting at Waukon Junior College. He was a brilliant student and never stopped learning, continually startling his children by quoting "Thanatopsis" and other literary gems throughout his life. He married Margaretta Smerud on November 26, 1940. After living briefly in Chicago, they moved to Des Moines, IA where he worked in an amunitions factory during the war, and made lifelong friends with co-workers and neighbors. Later he worked in Waterloo, IA, before moving back to Allamakee County where the couple farmed near Dorchester on English Bench. In 1956, the family moved to Lansing where, as a Ford dealer, he owned Keenan Auto Sales, and where they remained until 1975 when Walt moved with his wife and youngest son Tim to Wyoming. There he was a successful salesman for McGee Murphy Ford, greatly enjoying the Wild West, until his retirement in 1990 at which time he and Margaretta returned to Waukon. Walt was a man of good humor who loved people and was always kind and helpful. When anyone – customers, family, and strangers alike - had accidents, he lent them cars to drive until theirs were repaired or helped them to find alternative transportation. He could often be found with his head under the hood or lying under a stalled vehicle, firmly hands-on in his determination to keep up with mechanical developments. He was primarily a Ford man but in later years came to respect all brands and makes, and always stayed current with progress in the automotive field. He was a great debater, often correctly predicting the outcomes of elections and was himself active in local politics for many years. A man of faith, he was a member of St. Patrick''s Catholic Church in Waukon. Walt was deeply involved in the lives of his children and their offspring who often consulted him for his wise advice. He cultivated a wealth of friends and, as one acquaintance reported later, he helped to "form my philosophy of life". He is survived by his loving wife of 68 years, and eight children, Rev. Tina Keenan, of La Crosse, John (Pat) Keenan of Lansing, Mary Ellen (Tom) Mohn of Lansing, Louise Keenan of La Crosse, Denise (Jerry Kaster)Keenan of Milwaukee, Kevin (Maria) Keenan of Grand Junction, CO, Alene Keenan of Ft. Lauderdale, FL, and Tim Keenan of Grand Junction, CO; a sister, Marian Keenan of Waukon; and nieces Paula Keenan of Cedar Rapids and Patty Keenan and her son Justin of Alexandria, VA as well as special and greatly loved friend, Len Schnick of La Crosse. He is further survived by grandchildren Jason Flanagan of La Crosse, Jared (Patti Bilotti) Flanagan of Grand Junction, CO, Jamin (Jessica) Flanagan of Rawlins, WY, Sara (Jason Smith) Flanagan of Houston, TX; Bill Keenan of Snow Mass, CO, Jody (Nathan) Allen of Lacey, WA, Nathan (Sarah Wendland) Schnick of West Salem, WI, Andrea Schnick of Denver, CO, Chloe'' Keenan of Grand Junction, CO, Adam (Cheri Wichert) Olson and April (Scott) Stafford of Grand Junction, CO. Great-grandchildren are Gina and Lauren Flanagan, Kaitlynn Flanagan, Amelia Allen, Nastazia, Makasha and Mikhail Hogendorn, Ella Mohn, Alex and Christopher Olson, and Jack and Garrett Stafford. He is also survived by many friends and relatives. Walter was preceded in death by his parents, a daughter, Andrea Keenan, in 1983, grandson, Aaron Mohn, in 2001, a granddaughter, Jessica Mohn Hogendorn in 2006, two brothers, Richard and Ralph Keenan, and a sister, Margaret Keenan. His family intends to carry their father''s memory to Ireland (this summer or fall) to celebrate his life. A mass of Christian burial will be held Saturday, January 17, 2009 at St. Patrick''s Catholic Church in Waukon, Iowa with visitation at 9 a.m. and mass at 10:00 a.m. with Father Joseph Schneider officiating.