Joyce N. Keeten

Joyce N. Keeten, a resident of Bethany Home in Minden, NE for the last several years, departed this life on November 1, 2024. Memorial services will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, November 7, 2024 at Craig Funeral Home in Minden with PMA Julie Schmidt officiating. Private family inurnment will be held at a later date at the Zion Lutheran Cemetery in rural Webster County, Nebraska. There will be no visitation. Memorials in Joyce’s honor are kindly suggested to the family for later designation. Arrangements are under the care of Craig Funeral Home in Minden. Joyce Naomi (Bangert) Keeten was born in rural Webster County, Nebraska on June 30, 1937 to Richard Carl and Alice Wauntea (Booker) Bangert. She was baptized and confirmed at Zion Lutheran Church at Rosemont, NE. She spent most of her growing up years on a small farm in Webster County about a mile from where her paternal grandparents, German immigrants, had homesteaded in the 1870’s. She attended rural Eckley High School, graduating in 1955, where she often recalled her class’s excellent volleyball team, which she was a member of. On the farm, she worked hard at milking cows and tending chickens. She told stories of her dogs, a lamb, cows and calves, a sparrow hawk, and a great horned owl (named You-Hooty). Joyce married Marvin Eugene Keeten and to this union three children were born: Julia (Julie), Richard (Rick), and Warren Scot. They resided in Ayr, NE, and Joyce worked in nearby Hastings at Mode’ A Day, a woman’s clothing manufacturer for many years, until she and the children moved west to Dundy County in 1977. Living in Max, Joyce worked in Benkelman at the Dundy County Hospital in housekeeping and dietary. Later she moved around a bit, back to Hastings, to Desert Springs, CA, back to Hastings, then to Red Cloud, and finally to Minden. Before her stroke, which sent her to Bethany Home in 2018, Joyce was a caretaker for several elderly individuals and couples until she retired at the age of 80. Joyce was preceded in death by her parents, Richard and Alice, older brother, Gene, and many much-loved Aunts and Uncles. Those left to cherish her memory include her daughter, Julie (Robert) Carter of Minden; sons, Rick (Dianna) Keeten of Ogallala, and Warran “Scot” Keeten of Hastings; six grandchildren, Nick (Nelsie) Carter, Misty (Bobby) Cole, Alexander Keeten, Camden Keeten, Katelyn (Jerman) Sanchez and Marvin Keeten; six great-grandchildren, Desiree Lucero, Michael Carter, Robby and Ember Cole, Jose’ and Jon Sanchez; as well as a host of nieces, nephews and cousins. Joyce worked hard all her life to provide for her family. She instilled this work ethic into all her children, along with her love of animals, which even prompted one into becoming a practicing veterinarian. More importantly, she instilled in her children a love of God, Christ and His word. She may not have ended with many worldly processions, but you can’t take them with you anyway. You can try to see that your children follow you though. We’ll see you later Mom! Tributes and memories can be shared with the family at www.craigfunerals.com.

Joyce N. Keeten

June 30, 1937 - November 1, 2024