Vernice A. Keehan

Vernice Ann Keehan, 77, Denmark, passed away Monday, February 7, 2011 at Bornemann Nursing Home. She was born January 8, 1934 in Manitowoc Co., WI, daughter to the late Joseph and Anna (Brey) Stedl, and grew up in Menchalville. She married Earl J. Keehan, November 28, 1951 in Kellnersville, and he preceded her in death on December 4, 2000. Vernice was a proud homemaker raising her six children. They resided on the family farm on Keehan Road in Maribel. She was a member of St. James Catholic Church, Cooperstown, and Hickory Grove Homemakers. Vernice enjoyed gardening, reading, decorating for the holidays, shopping trips with her daughters, phone calls from her sisters, and especially loved spending time with her family. She had a love for singing and listening to country music, and fond memories of her travels. Cooking and baking were her specialty; she loved entertaining friends and family—no one ever left home hungry. She will be deeply missed by her six children: Patricia (Richard) Donovan, Denmark, Thomas (Donna) Keehan, Maribel, Jayne (Bruce) Lange, Denmark, James (special friend-Naomi Renard) Keehan, Maribel, Donna (Jeffrey) Keehan-Bouschart, Phoenix, AZ, and Diane (Christopher Oakley) Keehan, Evanston, IL; twelve grandchildren: Sara (Rodney) Pennings, Dana (Kurt) Koszarek, Brock (fiance-Tara Koslovsky) Donovan, Bridget (Benjamin) Witt, Michelle Keehan, Heidi Wenner, Nate Lange, Nicole Lange, Santana Keehan, Ryann, Erin, and Joslyn Oakley; six great-grandchildren: Addisyn, Brayden, and Cullen Pennings, Quinn, Emersyn, and Kade Koszarek; two sisters, Claire Kath and Gertrude Rivest; and one brother, Michael Stedl; great nephew, Troy Tuschel, who lived and helped on the family farm; and her Godchildren: LuAnn Decker, Alan Loberger and David Keehan. In addition to her parents and husband; Vernice was preceded in death by her four brothers, Walter, Victor, Joseph and Clarence Stedl; and three sisters: Florence Podrabsky, Marie Guex, and Helen Princl. Friends may call Wednesday, February 9, 2011 (TODAY) from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Knutson-Cotter Funeral Home, 536 Cty R, where there will be a Parish Prayer Service at 7:00 p.m. Visitation will continue on Thursday at the funeral home from 9:00 a.m. until the procession leaves for St. James Catholic Church, Cooperstown. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated 10:30 a.m. Thursday at church, with Fr. Ron Colombo officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. Online condolences may be expressed at www.cotterfuneralhome.com. The family would like to extend a special thank you to the wonderful staff at Bellin Hospital, especially Dr. James, Dr. Manske, and Dr. Clemens, Bornemann Nursing Home, Fr. Ron Colombo, Sister Gerri Krautkramer, Knutson-Cotter Funeral Home, and all the family and friends for the kindness and compassion shown to Vernice and her family during her short illness.