Violete M. and Guy M. KEER

In Loving Memory KEER, Violete M. January 2, 1924 - September 23, 2014 KEER, Guy M. November 3, 1921- February 18, 1994 Sept. 23, 2014 was the saddest day of our lives. The Keer family, daughter, Penny Keer Brannigan, son Dennis Keer, daughter, Shelley Keer Houlton, and daughter Lee Ann Keer lost the heart of our family, our incredible mother Violete Matilda Keer. This amazing woman that we called mom was also called Grandma, Great Grandma, Aunt Vi, Sweetheart and GuyGuy. If you were lucky enough to meet her, you fell in love with her. Then she taught you how to cook, crochet, knit or sew, and then for so many she became a 2nd mother. When you left her, you left with a kiss, a hug, and some bits of wisdom that you didn't have when you arrived. When asked last month why she never complained, she replied, "Well, maybe you have to be 90 to quit complaining." Most of all she modeled what was important in life. Her life motto was, "Don't sweat the small stuff!" Now we know that it's all small stuff except for losing you and dad. So Mom, thank you for cherishing and accepting us for who we are and for giving us your unconditional love. Thank you for your warmth, kindness and generosity. We will miss your playful, clever sense of humor and your poignant and captivating stories about South Dakota, the farm and our ancestors. You were the keeper of our memories. Our whole family, our Aunts, Uncles, Cousins and all of your lifelong friends will do their best to not be heartbroken forever, but we will rejoice forever that we were so loved by you. We will carry with us the knowledge that we were so loved by you. We will seek to honor your and dad's legacy by how we live our lives. All our love, all our lives, your children. Our father Guy M. Keer died 20 years ago, but we remember vividly his dark eyes and easy smile. The following letter was written long ago from our dad to our mother and it speaks to the depth of love that he shared with our mom and his children. In 1945 Guys letter to Vi said, "And when you've worked for hours, and you're tired and satisfied and your thoughts turn another way; to rest and enjoy the love and company of a real pal, a sweetheart and wife, who is like a picture of these things. You couldn't do it without her. Then it's quite plain to see 'cause the evening sun is setting and the sky is shadowed red, and the whole world seems grateful for the rest, there's time to think there's one person, most of all, whose closeness I linger for, the warmth of our little family, our daughter, our pups, even the wind and rain. You see it isn't just a place to go and eat and sleep. It's a home where your heart is, simple, solid, and plain, but a king's fortune couldn't buy it. It's a kingdom worth a lifetime of sweat and work and play. It's earned and true and real. And the queen of it all is blue-eyed and strong and brave and true, with a smile that dispels my troubles and a love that seems to shine. No I'd never trade another for that blue-eyed girl of mine." Violet's grandchildren adore her and wanted to share their deep feeling for her as well. Chad -"We were all her favorites." Julie - "Today we said good-bye to my Grandma Vi. She taught me the value of family, gratitude and kindness. She left me with a lifetime of wonderful memories. She will be greatly missed. Joe - "Deuces will be tossed under the table forever." Jason - "UmmmNoI am her favorite." Jodi - "Grandma Vi was a vision of strength, wit, compassion, wisdom and most of all love. She was an illuminating soul. I will miss her dearly." Heather - "Thank you Grandma for always knowing what to say, for all the wise advise, for loving and never judging, for the big smile and twinkle in your eyes every time I came to see you, for your incredible generosity for being so dang funny, for teaching me so many things from crocheting to the importance of family, for the butter on my sandwiches and biting my ears when I was little and for giving the warmest, biggest hugs ever. I'm so thankful that my Skye and Zeah knew you. I miss you so much." Amy - "Today we lost the pillar of our family, Grandma Vi. She was the most wonderful, caring, supportive person that I have ever known. She touched every person she came into contact with. She taught us so much about human kindness. I was so fortunate to have her as my grandma. She will be greatly missed and life will not be the same without her. We love you grandma." Justin- "Grandma Vi was so interesting, open minded, non judgmental and an inspiring person. She shared stories about the farm she grew up on in South Dakota. I honestly can't remember her ever being in a bad mood or having a bad attitude. She lived by example and didn't even have to try. She definitely left her mark on me and I will always remember and cherish every minute I got to spend with her. And I look forward to telling my son exactly where he came from." Summer - "The world lost one of the most amazing women who ever lived. She defined generosity, love and compassion. I would be proud to one day be half the woman she was. Wyatt - "I would say she's the best grandmother anyone could have asked for and I truly miss the times I had growing up with her when it was just her and I watching horse races on T.V. Every single time, she always had something new and exciting to teach me about life. Oh, I miss her so much." A celebration of Violete's life will be held at the Keers' residence from 2:00pm to 7:00pm on Sunday, November 2, 2014.