Bonnie Keck
(Florence) Bonnie Keck
Bonnie Keck
July 21, 1919 – October 29, 2016
Oskaloosa, Iowa | Age 97
(Florence) Bonnie Keck, 97, of Oskaloosa and formerly of Lakewood, Colorado, died Saturday, October 29, 2016, at the Oskaloosa Care Center in Oskaloosa. Bonnie was born July 21, 1919, in Mansfield, Nottinghamshire, England, the daughter of Joseph and Gertrude Naylor Wainwright.
Bonnie complete school in England. Once finished with school, she worked for a bakery and for her parents in the pub they owned call the “General Peel”. It was while working in her parents’ pub, that she met Carl Keck a United States Soldier stationed in England. Bonnie and Carl were married in England.
Following WWII they moved to the United States. Carl came home with the military and Bonnie boarded a ship and arrived in the United States two weeks later. They settled in Delta for a short time. Carl was a hotel manager and his work took the two of them to many locations. They finally settled in Denver. In the late 1970’s Carl and Bonnie divorced.
Bonnie worked in the business office of King Sooper’s Grocery store in Colorado for many years. She retired from there in the early 1980’s. By this time her elderly mother had joined her in America and Bonnie devoted her time to caring for her in her final years.
She was an active member of the Bear Creek Evangelical Church, she enjoyed singing, and being involved in many groups and projects at church. She enjoyed her time in the “English Club” with others from Great Britain. She was an excellent cook, baker and host. Bonnie stayed “young at heart” throughout her life, she looked forward to new adventures and challenges.
Bonnie will be remembered for her good sense of humor and her quick wit. She was proud of her past, and of being a “War Bride”. Her story is published in a book called “War Brides”. She delighted in spending time with her family and friends.
Her family includes her two daughters and their husbands: Deborah (& Bob) DeVore of Oskaloosa and Diane (& Ron) Cowlthorpe of Thornton, Colorado; five grandchildren: Michelle Andrews, Joshua Leathers, Allison Disch, Vicky (& Steve) Johnson, and Tim Schell; four great grandchildren: Breanna and Blake Johnson and Madison and Trevor Andrews; and many nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents; a young brother; and a half brother, Leonard Naylor.
As was Bonnie’s wish her body has been cremated.
A memorial service will be held Wednesday, November 2, 2016, at 2 p.m. in the Bates Funeral Chapel with Pastor Alvern Boetsma officiating.
A celebration of life ceremony and burial of the urn will take place at a later date at the Hampden Memorial Gardens in Aurora, Colorado. The Bates Funeral Chapel is in charge of the local arrangements.
Visitation will begin Tuesday after 10 a.m. in the Bates Funeral Chapel and the family will be at the funeral chapel Tuesday evening from 5-7 to greet friends and relatives.
Memorials may be made to Mahaska Hospice.
