Fern Evelyn Keenan

Fern Evelyn (Stein) Keenan, age 92, of Richland Center, WI passed away peacefully on Sunday, December 22, 2024. She died surrounded by the love of her family. She was born on August 28, 1932, the daughter of Oscar and Helen (Majors) Stein. Fern met her husband Paul on a blind date. They were united in marriage on May 23, 1953 in DeKalb, IL. They made their home in Maple Park, IL for a time before moving to Polo, IL; Burlington, IL; and then Richland Center, WI in 1973.
Fern enjoyed cooking and baking for family and friends, her recipes have been shared with many. Time spent with family was always the most important. Fern gave the BEST hugs. She loved to sing, including on the radio w/ her twin sister in their younger years. She worked as a waitress for much of her life, retiring after 30+ years at Country Kitchen. Her spirit will live on in every hug we give, every meal we share and every act of love we show.
Fern is survived by her 4 children, Debbie (Mike) Andresen of Elgin, IL; Paul "George" (Connie) Keenan of Genoa, IL; Pam (Gordy) Sebranek of Lone Rock, WI and Jodi Schmidt of Richland Center, WI. 8 grandchildren Kristi (Tom) Dunn, Chad (Anne) Sebranek, Nicole (Robby) Reuter, Michael (Ashlie) Sebranek, Dustin (Mallory) Keenan, Tracy (Eric) Heinrich, Clara Schmidt and Sylvia Schmidt. 16 great-grandchildren Hailey, Luke, Gordon-Thomas, Stefania, Addison, Samantha, Kody, Nevaeh, Brody, Sienna, Jax, Cole, Weston, Max, Vivian and Jordan. Sisters-in-law Roseann Cady and Frances Brennan and many nieces, nephews and friends.
She was preceded in death by her husband Paul in 2012; her parents Oscar and Helen Stein; sisters Mary Louise Nehring, Pearlie Klotz and her twin Faye Werts; son-in-law John Schmidt; mother-in-law Clara Keenan; additional in-laws Donald Nehring, Sheldon Klotz, Chad Werts, Madeline Keenan, Stanley Cady and William Brennan; and 5 nephews.
Private family burial will be held later at St. Mary Cemetery, Maple Park, Illinois.
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