Mary F. Keith passed away Saturday, November 11, 2017 at St. Catherine Hospital in Garden City, Kansas at the age of 89. She was born in Palco, Kansas on July 24, 1928 to the late Roland and Dora (Derousseau) Tremblay. She grew up and attended school in Palco. On November 23, 1948 she was united in marriage to Howard R. Keith in Damar, Kansas.
Mary was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, friend, and neighbor. She enjoyed being around the people she loved, always telling jokes, and had a great sense of humor. Heaven help you if you fell victim to one of her April Fools’ Day pranks. She was an incredible cook, liked to embroider, worked in the fields during harvest, and was an avid gardener, known in certain circles as “The Orchid Lady” because of the beautiful orchids she grew. She loved all animals, but most especially her dog Brandi and her cat Mooch. But the greatest love of her life was her grandchildren.
Mary is survived by her children Brenda Holler of Salina, Rita Lill and husband Jon of Tonganoxie, Cleon Keith and wife Jolene of El Dorado, and Patti Thummel and husband Mike of Garden City; brother Ed Tremblay and wife Carolyn of Hill City; sisters Margarette Larson of Marquette, and Elaine Dockins and husband Dwight of Hill City; grandchildren Jenny (Lill) Mick, Jeremy Lill, Jessie (Lill) Lancaster, Shay Keith, Melissa Keith, Michael Thummel, Stephanie (Thummel) Schwindt, Kristen (Thummel) Manning, and Lanette (Thummel) Morgan; twelve step-grandchildren; children of her heart Gwen and Rick Lewis; sisters-in-law Arvilla Taylor and husband Harold of Hoxie, Edna Keith of Moses Lake, WA, and Coralie Keith Bise of Moses Lake, WA.
She was preceded in death by her parents Roland and Dora Tremblay, husband Howard Keith, brother Adrian Tremblay, and sister Madeline Keith.
The Prophet Isaiah reminded us, “Those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” Mary was a woman who lived every day of her life, depending on her strength from the Lord, through faith. She raised her family with a heritage of love, grace, mercy, strength and faith that will live on for generations to come.
Funeral services will be at 10:00am on Saturday, November 18, 2017 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Plainville. Burial will follow in St. Ann Cemetery in Zurich. Visitation will be from 2:00-8:00pm on Friday at the funeral home with Ladies Guild Rosary at 3:00pm and Prayer Vigil and Rosary at 7;00pm. Memorials are suggested to Finney County Meals on Wheels and may be sent in care of Plumer-Overlease Funeral Home, 320 SW 2nd, Plainville, Kansas 67663.