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Laurene Anne Keech, 83, of Wisconsin Rapids passed away February 22, 2015. At the time she was surrounded by her loving family. Laurene was born on May 18, 1931, the daughter of William H. and Mae E. Rowley. She grew up on the family farm in Richmond Township, Walworth, County, WI, graduated from Whitewater City High School in 1948 and the Rockford School of Business in 1949. Laurene met the love of her life, Billy Keech on a blind date. While Billy was stationed in Korea with the United States Army, they wrote letters to each other nearly every day. The couple married on May 8, 1954 at the United Methodist Church in Whitewater. During their 57 years of marriage they spent 2 years on the east coast while Billy constructed Wickes Lumberyards. After the family moved back to Wisconsin, Laurene enjoyed making a comfortable home for her family. Some of her passions included gardening, reading and knitting. She always looked forward to get togethers with her family. Laurene took great pride and joy in the accomplishments and achievements of her children and grandchildren. Many enjoyable summers were spent camping on Jordan Lake. After Billy’s retirement they enjoyed traveling throughout the United States. After Billy’s passing in 2011, Laurene moved to Wisconsin Rapids to be closer to family.
Laurene is survived by her daughters, Cheryl (Michael) Cook of Fond du Lac, Marlys (Jim) Carney of Rochester, MN and her son, David of Wisconsin Rapids, her grandchildren, Kara and Kyle Faucett of Fond du Lac, Colin (Brittany ) Carney of Hayfield, MN, Kelsey Carney of Austin, MN, Sgt. Ethan (Sarah) Carney, U.S. Army, Watertown, NY, Kaitlyn and Kayla Keech of Wisconsin Rapids, great-grandsons, Giovanni and Lucinelli Carney of Hayfield, MN, Caleb Carney of Watertown, NY and her special kitty, Miley. She is further survived by her brother, Kenneth (Nanci) Rowley and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, Billy, parents, son-in-law, Mike Faucett and three great-grandbabies.
Visitation will be from 9 to 10 a.m. Friday, February 27, 2015 at Henke-Clarson Funeral Home, Janesville. Funeral services will follow at 10 a.m. Friday at Henke-Clarson Funeral Home. Rev. Forrest R. Wells of Cargill United Methodist Church, Janesville, where Laurene was a member, will officiate. Private burial will follow in the Richmond Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Billy and Laurene Keech family scholarship fund at Delavan- Darien High School. The Keech family is being assisted by Henke-Clarson Funeral Home. www. henkeclarson.com

Laurene Anne Keech, 83, of Wisconsin Rapids passed away February 22, 2015. At the time she was surrounded by her loving family. Laurene was born on May 18, 1931, the daughter of William H. and Mae E. Rowley. She grew up on the family farm in Richmond Township, Walworth, County, WI, graduated from Whitewater City High School in 1948 and the Rockford School of Business in 1949. Laurene met the love of her life, Billy Keech on a blind date. While Billy was stationed in Korea with the United States Army, they wrote letters to each other nearly every day. The couple married on May 8, 1954 at the United Methodist Church in Whitewater. During their 57 years of marriage they spent 2 years on the east coast while Billy constructed Wickes Lumberyards. After the family moved back to Wisconsin, Laurene enjoyed making a comfortable home for her family. Some of her passions included gardening, reading and knitting. She always looked forward to get togethers with her family. Laurene took great pride and joy in the accomplishments and achievements of her children and grandchildren. Many enjoyable summers were spent camping on Jordan Lake. After Billy’s retirement they enjoyed traveling throughout the United States. After Billy’s passing in 2011, Laurene moved to Wisconsin Rapids to be closer to family.
Laurene is survived by her daughters, Cheryl (Michael) Cook of Fond du Lac, Marlys (Jim) Carney of Rochester, MN and her son, David of Wisconsin Rapids, her grandchildren, Kara and Kyle Faucett of Fond du Lac, Colin (Brittany ) Carney of Hayfield, MN, Kelsey Carney of Austin, MN, Sgt. Ethan (Sarah) Carney, U.S. Army, Watertown, NY, Kaitlyn and Kayla Keech of Wisconsin Rapids, great-grandsons, Giovanni and Lucinelli Carney of Hayfield, MN, Caleb Carney of Watertown, NY and her special kitty, Miley. She is further survived by her brother, Kenneth (Nanci) Rowley and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, Billy, parents, son-in-law, Mike Faucett and three great-grandbabies.
Visitation will be from 9 to 10 a.m. Friday, February 27, 2015 at Henke-Clarson Funeral Home, Janesville. Funeral services will follow at 10 a.m. Friday at Henke-Clarson Funeral Home. Rev. Forrest R. Wells of Cargill United Methodist Church, Janesville, where Laurene was a member, will officiate. Private burial will follow in the Richmond Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Billy and Laurene Keech family scholarship fund at Delavan- Darien High School. The Keech family is being assisted by Henke-Clarson Funeral Home. www. henkeclarson.com