Richard "Dick" Keehn, 87, died Tuesday, March 11, 2008, of complications of Alzheimer's disease at Ladysmith Nursing Home, where he had been a resident for three and a half months.
Richard Norman Keehn was the oldest of five children born to Gustave Jr. and Elfreda (Zech) Keehn. He was born Nov. 4, 1920, in Boyd, and grew up on a farm between Cadott and Boyd. He graduated from Boyd High School as salutatorian of the class of 1938. He attended Eau Claire State Teachers College, receiving a rural school diploma. He began his teaching career at the Bob Lake School in Chippewa County. He enlisted in the Army in August 1942 during World War II, and served stateside as a radar operator for 42 months. He was honorably discharged as a corporal on Jan. 31, 1946. After returning to civilian life, he continued his education and teaching career, receiving a bachelor's degree in 1952 with summer school classes on the GI Bill. While at college, he met his future bride, Phyllis Severson. They were married Aug. 9, 1947, at Our Savior's Lutheran Church in Cornell. Richard held teaching positions at several schools including Arnold State Grade, Holcombe and Stillson on Lake Wissota, before accepting a position at Ladysmith Junior High School, and later at the elementary school as a fifth-grade teacher and assistant principal. He retired in 1982 after 37 years in the classroom.
He was an avid reader, and often read aloud to his homeroom students. He took the school census for the Ladysmith school district for 37 years, and sold World Book Encyclopedias to more than 100 families in the area. He was a faithful member of Hope Lutheran Church for 53 years, and active in the American Legion since his discharge in 1946.
He loved the outdoors - fishing, hunting, gardening, making maple syrup, cutting wood and raising Christmas trees on their property along the Flambeau River. He enjoyed playing cards, Scrabble and chess with his grandsons, and pool at the senior center. He enjoyed camping with his family and traveling by car, air and bus.
He is survived by his wife of 60 years; and three daughters, Linda (Greg) Long of Clinton, Tenn., Janet Keehn of Cumberland and Becky (Bob) Wilcox of Altoona. Also surviving are four grandchildren, Christopher and Brian Long and Rachael and Andrew Wilcox; a sister, Jane Malison of Cupertino, Calif.; and many nieces, nephews and cousins.
He was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, Clayton and Kenneth; and one sister, Dorothy Seichter.
Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, March 15, at Hope Lutheran Church in Ladysmith, with the Rev. Dwight Hanson officiating. Burial will be in Holcombe Cemetery.
Friends may call from 4 to 7 p.m. Friday, March 14, at Nash-Jackan Funeral Home in Ladysmith, and one hour before services Saturday at the church.
He was a proud man, proud of his heritage, his family and his teaching career. He proudly served his country and his God.
Richard Norman Keehn was the oldest of five children born to Gustave Jr. and Elfreda (Zech) Keehn. He was born Nov. 4, 1920, in Boyd, and grew up on a farm between Cadott and Boyd. He graduated from Boyd High School as salutatorian of the class of 1938. He attended Eau Claire State Teachers College, receiving a rural school diploma. He began his teaching career at the Bob Lake School in Chippewa County. He enlisted in the Army in August 1942 during World War II, and served stateside as a radar operator for 42 months. He was honorably discharged as a corporal on Jan. 31, 1946. After returning to civilian life, he continued his education and teaching career, receiving a bachelor's degree in 1952 with summer school classes on the GI Bill. While at college, he met his future bride, Phyllis Severson. They were married Aug. 9, 1947, at Our Savior's Lutheran Church in Cornell. Richard held teaching positions at several schools including Arnold State Grade, Holcombe and Stillson on Lake Wissota, before accepting a position at Ladysmith Junior High School, and later at the elementary school as a fifth-grade teacher and assistant principal. He retired in 1982 after 37 years in the classroom.
He was an avid reader, and often read aloud to his homeroom students. He took the school census for the Ladysmith school district for 37 years, and sold World Book Encyclopedias to more than 100 families in the area. He was a faithful member of Hope Lutheran Church for 53 years, and active in the American Legion since his discharge in 1946.
He loved the outdoors - fishing, hunting, gardening, making maple syrup, cutting wood and raising Christmas trees on their property along the Flambeau River. He enjoyed playing cards, Scrabble and chess with his grandsons, and pool at the senior center. He enjoyed camping with his family and traveling by car, air and bus.
He is survived by his wife of 60 years; and three daughters, Linda (Greg) Long of Clinton, Tenn., Janet Keehn of Cumberland and Becky (Bob) Wilcox of Altoona. Also surviving are four grandchildren, Christopher and Brian Long and Rachael and Andrew Wilcox; a sister, Jane Malison of Cupertino, Calif.; and many nieces, nephews and cousins.
He was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, Clayton and Kenneth; and one sister, Dorothy Seichter.
Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, March 15, at Hope Lutheran Church in Ladysmith, with the Rev. Dwight Hanson officiating. Burial will be in Holcombe Cemetery.
Friends may call from 4 to 7 p.m. Friday, March 14, at Nash-Jackan Funeral Home in Ladysmith, and one hour before services Saturday at the church.
He was a proud man, proud of his heritage, his family and his teaching career. He proudly served his country and his God.
Richard "Dick" Keehn, 87, died Tuesday, March 11, 2008, of complications of Alzheimer's disease at Ladysmith Nursing Home, where he had been a resident for three and a half months.
Richard Norman Keehn was the oldest of five children born to Gustave Jr. and Elfreda (Zech) Keehn. He was born Nov. 4, 1920, in Boyd, and grew up on a farm between Cadott and Boyd. He graduated from Boyd High School as salutatorian of the class of 1938. He attended Eau Claire State Teachers College, receiving a rural school diploma. He began his teaching career at the Bob Lake School in Chippewa County. He enlisted in the Army in August 1942 during World War II, and served stateside as a radar operator for 42 months. He was honorably discharged as a corporal on Jan. 31, 1946. After returning to civilian life, he continued his education and teaching career, receiving a bachelor's degree in 1952 with summer school classes on the GI Bill. While at college, he met his future bride, Phyllis Severson. They were married Aug. 9, 1947, at Our Savior's Lutheran Church in Cornell. Richard held teaching positions at several schools including Arnold State Grade, Holcombe and Stillson on Lake Wissota, before accepting a position at Ladysmith Junior High School, and later at the elementary school as a fifth-grade teacher and assistant principal. He retired in 1982 after 37 years in the classroom.
He was an avid reader, and often read aloud to his homeroom students. He took the school census for the Ladysmith school district for 37 years, and sold World Book Encyclopedias to more than 100 families in the area. He was a faithful member of Hope Lutheran Church for 53 years, and active in the American Legion since his discharge in 1946.
He loved the outdoors - fishing, hunting, gardening, making maple syrup, cutting wood and raising Christmas trees on their property along the Flambeau River. He enjoyed playing cards, Scrabble and chess with his grandsons, and pool at the senior center. He enjoyed camping with his family and traveling by car, air and bus.
He is survived by his wife of 60 years; and three daughters, Linda (Greg) Long of Clinton, Tenn., Janet Keehn of Cumberland and Becky (Bob) Wilcox of Altoona. Also surviving are four grandchildren, Christopher and Brian Long and Rachael and Andrew Wilcox; a sister, Jane Malison of Cupertino, Calif.; and many nieces, nephews and cousins.
He was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, Clayton and Kenneth; and one sister, Dorothy Seichter.
Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, March 15, at Hope Lutheran Church in Ladysmith, with the Rev. Dwight Hanson officiating. Burial will be in Holcombe Cemetery.
Friends may call from 4 to 7 p.m. Friday, March 14, at Nash-Jackan Funeral Home in Ladysmith, and one hour before services Saturday at the church.
He was a proud man, proud of his heritage, his family and his teaching career. He proudly served his country and his God.
Richard Norman Keehn was the oldest of five children born to Gustave Jr. and Elfreda (Zech) Keehn. He was born Nov. 4, 1920, in Boyd, and grew up on a farm between Cadott and Boyd. He graduated from Boyd High School as salutatorian of the class of 1938. He attended Eau Claire State Teachers College, receiving a rural school diploma. He began his teaching career at the Bob Lake School in Chippewa County. He enlisted in the Army in August 1942 during World War II, and served stateside as a radar operator for 42 months. He was honorably discharged as a corporal on Jan. 31, 1946. After returning to civilian life, he continued his education and teaching career, receiving a bachelor's degree in 1952 with summer school classes on the GI Bill. While at college, he met his future bride, Phyllis Severson. They were married Aug. 9, 1947, at Our Savior's Lutheran Church in Cornell. Richard held teaching positions at several schools including Arnold State Grade, Holcombe and Stillson on Lake Wissota, before accepting a position at Ladysmith Junior High School, and later at the elementary school as a fifth-grade teacher and assistant principal. He retired in 1982 after 37 years in the classroom.
He was an avid reader, and often read aloud to his homeroom students. He took the school census for the Ladysmith school district for 37 years, and sold World Book Encyclopedias to more than 100 families in the area. He was a faithful member of Hope Lutheran Church for 53 years, and active in the American Legion since his discharge in 1946.
He loved the outdoors - fishing, hunting, gardening, making maple syrup, cutting wood and raising Christmas trees on their property along the Flambeau River. He enjoyed playing cards, Scrabble and chess with his grandsons, and pool at the senior center. He enjoyed camping with his family and traveling by car, air and bus.
He is survived by his wife of 60 years; and three daughters, Linda (Greg) Long of Clinton, Tenn., Janet Keehn of Cumberland and Becky (Bob) Wilcox of Altoona. Also surviving are four grandchildren, Christopher and Brian Long and Rachael and Andrew Wilcox; a sister, Jane Malison of Cupertino, Calif.; and many nieces, nephews and cousins.
He was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, Clayton and Kenneth; and one sister, Dorothy Seichter.
Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, March 15, at Hope Lutheran Church in Ladysmith, with the Rev. Dwight Hanson officiating. Burial will be in Holcombe Cemetery.
Friends may call from 4 to 7 p.m. Friday, March 14, at Nash-Jackan Funeral Home in Ladysmith, and one hour before services Saturday at the church.
He was a proud man, proud of his heritage, his family and his teaching career. He proudly served his country and his God.
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