Obit: Keating, Mary Lou #2 (1919 - 2010)

Contact: Dolores Mohr Kenyon

Email: dolores@wiclarkcountyhistory.org

Surnames: Keating, Schmitz, Zander, Peters, Johnson, Jagels, Moore, Heinemann

----Source: Thorp Courier (Thorp, Clark Co., WI.) November 17, 2010

Keating, Mary Lou (13 May 1919 - 12 November 2010)

Mary Lou Keating, 91, of Thorp, Wisconsin, passed away at 12:30 p.m. on Friday November 12^th, at Hospice Care Inc. in Madison, surrounded by several of her twelve children.  Mary Lou was born on May 13, 1919, in Black Earth, WI, to Charles Zander and Theresa Schmitz Zander, and was preceded in death by her loving husband, Joe Keating, her siblings: Ray, Catherine, Jeanette, and Kenneth; and grandson, Joseph A. Keating.

Mary Lou was always a key help to her parents on their dairy farm in Black Earth, WI and was an outstanding student.  She attended the University of Wisconsin in Madison at age 16 where she graduated in 1939 from the School of Commerce with an Accounting Degree.  She met her husband, Joseph Murray Keating, while attending school in Madison.

Joseph and Mary Lou were married on February 25, 1941.  They subsequently moved to Brooklyn, NY where Joe served with the U. S. Navy.  In 1945, they returned to Wisconsin.  In 1946, they purchased the Thorp Telephone Company.  They lived in a one-bedroom apartment in the original phone company building until 1954 when they built their home on Birch Street.

Joe and Mary Lou were full partners in business and in life. They went on to build the Thorp Telephone Company into a state of the art communications company that offered full service telephone and cable TV.

Mary Lou and Joe were very active and involved in the community.  In addition to being involved in her children’s lives, she enjoyed Homemakers, Lioness Club, Bridge Club, Golf Leagues and serving on the board of the Thorp Public Library.  In later years, she very much enjoyed her morning coffee group. She achieved her first golf hole-in-one at the age of 80.  She and Joe were members of the St. Bernard-St. Hedwig Parish.  She encouraged her children to appreciate education, music and sports. Although her children live in various states (with David in Zambia, Africa), they all continue to be a close-knit group committed to family.

As indicative of her life, her children gathered round once or twice a year to celebrate the joy of being together as a family.  The same was true on her final days where she was surrounded by love and appreciation.  Mary Lou is survived by her twelve children, Patricia Keating of Milwaukee, Joseph Keating (Diane) of Lilburn, GA, Terry Keating (Julie) of Sturgeon Bay, Kathy Keating of Pine, CO. David Keating (Connie) in Zambia, Africa, Susan Peters (Dave) of Brookfield, Mary Jo Keating (Duane Johnson) of Fond du Lac, jean Keating of Deephaven, MN, Paula Jagels (Jim) of Evergreen, CO, Claire Moore (Bud) of Pine, CO, Robert Keating of Thorp and Lorrie Heinemann (Jack) of Waunakee; twenty-four grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.

May Lou has always been the greatest mother, wife and friend to all. She loved her family, birds, animals and flowers.  She was always kind and gracious and will be greatly missed.

Services to celebrate Mary Lou’s life will begin on Thursday, November 18^th with a visitation to be held from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Thorp Funeral Home (rosary will be led beginning at 6 p.m.)  A Mass will be held in her honor at St. Bernard-St. Hedwig Church at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, November 19^th.  A luncheon will be held after the service at the Thorp American Legion Hall.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the Thorp Food Pantry or the Thorp Public Library.

Online condolences may be expressed at www.cuddiegh.com. 

Thorp Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.