Florence G. Keogh
Florence G. Keogh died September
11th at the age of 90. She was born July 5, 1920 to Joseph
and Susan Goldade in Beulah, North Dakota. She worked at
Beulah Drug where she met Walt. It was owned by Walt’s
brother-in-law and sister, Ted &Agnes Herman and was a
typical small town post-war gathering place that sold
everything from diamond rings to horse liniment, complete
with a soda fountain. They married in 1944 and in the fall
of 1946, with their cattle, horses and Jean & Karen in tow,
moved to their newly purchased ranch on the West Fork of the
Stillwater River. They later purchased an adjoining ranch on
the main Stillwater. Walt and Florence incorporated the
ranch to Key-O, Inc., which is still family owned and
operated.
Florence and Walt represent a nearly lost chapter in our
country’s history. They produced their own butter, cottage
cheese, sauerkraut, sausage, beef, pork, and chicken and
even made their own soap – almost a lost art. Florence had
incredible domestic skills with gardening, canning, baking,
and sewing, and was know for her uncomplaining approach to
hard work. She always had baked goods and a hearty meal
ready for anyone who stopped by or was in need, and was
known in the community for her delicious cinnamon rolls. She
and Walt managed all this while tending to their livestock,
stewarding their land, and raising their six children.
In her little spare time, Florence loved to china paint and
became quite accomplished. Her other great loves included
the fresh caught mountain trout from the Stillwater River,
the wildlife and the Beartooth Mountains surrounding her
ranch, and DANCING!! She remained active throughout her life
learning to swim and lifting weights in her 70’s. She also
greatly enjoyed her chickens and her other little chicks –
her 13 grandchildren, several who spent their summers at the
ranch.
Florence was the eldest of 10 children. She was preceded in
death by her husband Walt Keogh, her daughter Jean Keogh,
and her son Jim Keogh.
Florence is survived by her four children: Karen Keogh
(husband Bob Rude) of Olympia, WA; Miles Keogh of Denver,
CO; Noel Keogh (Penny) of Nye; and Nadine Keogh of Nye, MT
and six sisters and one brother.
Florence’s grandchildren are: Michelle LeClair (Bob Voke),
Chere LeClair (Bob Harvey), Jackie LeClair (Kevin Miller),
Jeff Rude, Brandi and Branden Keogh, Ross and Troy Keogh,
Cassie and Kaitlin Keogh, Jessie Mellor (Michael), Brittany
Greb (Chris), and Renee Moreland. Florence’s
great-grandchildren are Rachel Voke and Gryphon Mellor.
There will be a community gathering to celebrate Florence’s life at the Cobblestone School, 242 Woodard Avenue, Absarokee, Montana beginning at 1:00 PM, Saturday, October 2nd. Lunch will be served. Florence’s wishes were to have her body donated to science. The family has established a memorial for their mother at the Montana Body Donation Program. Information will be available and donations will be accepted at the memorial service.
Remembrances
Please leave your name and remembrance in this public guest book. Your comments will be shared on this page and forwarded to the family.
I have
not seen Florence in many many years but think about her a lot. I have
extremely fond memories of Florence from the summer that we rented a
cabin in the area. I remember Florence on numerous mornings, entering
the cabin with a cheerful good morning and a batch of homemade bread or
cinnamon rolls. I remember her laughter and pure caring heart for all
around her. I still think about catching large frogs from the pond and
scaring my mother half to death with them, because while I loved the
frogs, my mother didn't. While I hadn't seen Florence for a long time,
the memory of her is forever etched in my heart. She is one of the few
people in my childhood that left such a deep impression. She was very
kind and treated each individual as a person whether they be small or
grown. I ran into her years later in a grocery store and was touched
that she remembered me and awed at how much of an impression she still
made to me as an adult. I will always remember her and be grateful to
have had her in my life at a time when the caring attention of an adult
was so important to me.
Lovingly,
Donna Schwehr Degner