Helen Marie Minnick Keeling

Helen Marie Minnick Keeling was born on November 26, 1932 in Brighton, CO. She grew up in Colorado until she was 15 years of age. Her family then moved to Missouri. She graduated from Cabool High School in 1950. After graduation she went to work at the shoe factory in Mt. Grove. In 1951 she got a job at the PX on Ft. Leonard Wood as a bookkeeper where she met Floyd who was also working on the post. They were married on September 22, 1951 in Neosho, MO. She bought the rings because she said she had more money than he did. They were married in the woods at a minister’s house. The minister’s wife played the piano and his 12 or so kids kept peeking through the doors and windows at them. They celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary this past September. Their first home was a little cabin on the Big Piney River in Devil’s Elbow, MO. After that they moved to Stoutland where Floyd’s parent’s lived and then relocated to Richland in 1953 and then to Waynesville in 1954. They lived on Bluff Circle until 1968. Her best friend Nan Hull and her husband Phil were developing a new subdivision off old H Highway who Helen & Floyd bought their current home from. She went to work as a bookkeeper for Waynesville Schools in 1968 and retired from that job in 1994. Her job was backfilled with her youngest daughter Jonnie who is still currently holding that position. Through out the years she worked on the side as a bookkeeper for Floyd’s garage and his mother’s diner. She loved being with family especially at Christmas and the annual family float trip. She enjoyed doing puzzles, crocheting, and reading until her eyesight failed her. She loved her Kids, Grandkids, Great Grand Daughter, and all her family and friends. She is survived by her husband Floyd of the home, her son Michael and wife Patty, her daughter Debby Leuthen and her husband Mike, her daughter Jonnie Figg and her husband Jim all of Waynesville, four grandchildren, Kasie Lercher and her husband Brock of Richland, Cody Keeling of Columbia, Allison Keeling of Springfield, Zane Keeling of Chandler, AZ and a great grand daughter Brooklyn Lercher of Richland. She was also survived by three sisters and a brother, Loweta Hicks of Springfield, Juanita Minnear of Denver, CO, Doris Whitaker of Brady, TX and Robert Minnick and wife Janet of Iberia and numerous nieces, nephews, grand and great grand nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents Frank & Lucy Minnick. She had a philosophy that everyone should have fun, get along, love one another and be thankful for the time you have together. She was eternally optimistic and high spirited, with a smile that could launch a thousand ships. She had a rule that no one could get mad at another while she was around.

Helen Marie Minnick Keeling

November 26, 1932 - December 19, 2011