Obit: Keefe, Melva Jean (1926 - 2018)

Transcriber: Robert Lipprandt
bob@wiclarkcountyhistory.org 

Surnames: Keefe, Miller, Strebig

----Source: The Hemer Funeral Service (Medford & Rib Lake, WI) 8/13/2018

Keefe, Melva Jean (Strebig) (5 MAR 1926 - 10 AUG 2018)

Melva Jean (Strebig) Keefe, 92, of Medford was born March 5, 1926 in Medford to Gilbert and Viola (Miller) Strebig. She died on Friday, August 10, 2018 at Care Partners under the care of Aspirus Comfort Care and Hospice Services.

Whether you knew her as Mrs. Keefe, Mom, Aunt Babe, Grandma, Felfa, Mima, my dear, or Melva, you understood she was a special lady. She graduated from Medford High School as valedictorian in 1943 and from UW-Eau Claire in 1946 with a degree in elementary education. Her marriage to Thomas F. Keefe took place in Wausau, WI, on June 12, 1947 and he preceded her in death on February 20, 2008. Together they enjoyed life in the U.S. Navy until they returned to Medford in 1952, where Tom joined Strebig Auto Co. and later co-founded Northland Furniture with Ray Lange. Melva taught elementary education in Wausau in her earlier years and also worked as a bookkeeper for Keefe’s Northland Furniture while raising their family.

Melva was active in the community as a member of the Medford City Park Outdoor Pool Committee, Medford Curling Club, Tee-Hi Golf Club, the American Legion Auxiliary, Taylor County Homemakers, the Black River Golf Club, several bridge and sheepshead clubs, the Red Hats, and the Birthday Club.

Survivors include her children - Judith Kuse of Baraboo, Kate Clanton of Marshfield, Susan (Dean) Emmerich of Medford, Patrick (Michelle) Keefe of Apple Valley, MN, and Robert (Laurie) Keefe of Medford, sixteen grandchildren, and twelve great-grandchildren.

Melva wore life well, even into her stay at Care Partners, where her kind and caring personality survived, and her world was largely a happy one for which she was grateful.

Melva was a lifelong member of Immanuel Lutheran Church, and visitation will be held there from 9:30 a.m.-11:00 a.m. on Monday, August 13, 2018 with the funeral service beginning at 11:00 a.m. with Rev. James Krueger officiating. Luncheon will be provided by the Ladies of Immanuel immediately following the service. Interment of her cremated remains will take place at Medford Evergreen Cemetery II at a later date. Honorary pallbearers will be her grandsons – Ben & Ted Kuse, Jason Salter, Jake Emmerich, Max Clanton, Tom, John & Connor Keefe.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in Melva’s name to Huey’s Hideaway Children’s Museum in Medford, WI.

The family is grateful to all who helped care for Melva at Care Partners, and to Immanuel Lutheran Church Pastors Krueger and Iwinski and the team from Aspirus Comfort Care and Hospice Services who provided support to Melva and her family during the final days of our long good-bye.

Hemer Funeral Service of Medford and Rib Lake has been entrusted with arrangements.

Online condolences can be left at www.hemerfuneralservice.com.

Obituary: Keefe, Thomas F.
http://www.wiclarkcountyhistory.org/4data/96/290.htm