Shirley Anne Keith
Shirley Keith
Shirley Anne Keith
December 12, 1931 – September 30, 2017
Oskaloosa, Iowa | Age 85
Shirley Keith, 85, of Oskaloosa passed away Saturday, September 30, 2017, at Crystal Heights Care Center in Oskaloosa. Shirley Anne Keith, daughter of Oscar Edward and Wilma Luella (Cornish) Dennhardt, was born December 12, 1931, in Jefferson, Iowa.
Shirley attended school in Jefferson and following her education worked as a waitress.
January 5th, 1954, Shirley was united in marriage to Thomas Fredrich Keith, also of Jefferson. Thomas was serving in the Air Force, and Shirley accompanied him to Riverside, California while he was stationed at March Field for two years; she also traveled to Guam while he was stationed there for two years and then to Offutt Air Force Base near Omaha for the last two years of his service.
Shirley and Tom then returned to Jefferson with their daughter, Roberta Marie. They lived in Belmond for four years, while Tom worked for his uncle in a tire shop. And in 1968, a job for Tom with Schiebout Tire Company took the family in Pella; it was there that Shirley worked in the sewing factory. They lived in Ames for a year, before moving to a farm northeast of Oskaloosa in 1981. They spent 25 years on the farm moving into Oskaloosa in 2006. In 1995, Shirley began working for APAC Telemarketing Services in Oskaloosa; she worked there until her retirement at age 72. After their retirement, Shirley and Tom delivered Sunday papers for several years. Tom became ill in 2009 and Shirley, and their daughter cared for him until his death in 2014.
In her spare time, Shirley enjoyed crocheting, watching TV, crossword puzzles, yard work and in the warm weather, sitting on the front porch visiting with those passing by.
Her family includes her daughter, Roberta Keith of Oskaloosa; a granddaughter, Keli (Matt) Watson of Foristell, Missouri; and a great-grandson, Lincoln Steven Watson.
In addition to her parents, Shirley was preceded in death by her husband, Tom, of over 60 years; and two brothers, John and Gerald Dennhardt of Jefferson.
As was her wish, Shirley’s body has been cremated.
No services are planned at this time. Langkamp Funeral Chapel & Crematory has been entrusted with the arrangements.
