Wendy Fay Keena

Wendy (Wink) Fay Keena was born August 29, 1954 in Thief River Falls, MN to Charles and Marian (Meyer) Keena. She died peacefully at her home on Dec. 11, 2025. She grew up in East Grand Forks and Grand Forks. She graduated from Grand Forks Central High School in 1972.

Wendy had worked many jobs in the service industry, including A&W Restaurant, Golden Hour Restaurant, Whitey's, American Legion, and most recently at Ace Hardware in East Grand Forks up until her death. Wendy loved working with people and loved the people she worked with. She was a special person that remembered and cared about everyone she met. Often in a conversation the name of a town would come up and she would say "so-and-so is from there / lives there." Sometimes these were people she knew decades ago. Wendy loved, and appreciated, her neighbors. That appreciation extends from her family to her generous and caring neighbors, especially Kris and Jamie, for all they did for her. She felt loved and will be missed by many.

Family meant a lot to Wendy. She had been compiling information about her family tree for decades. She knew about everyone, where they lived, whose child they were, who they married, and she always enjoyed finding out about something she could add to her book. Wendy was known for her love of cats, having several of the furry companions throughout her life. Wendy was deeply loved by all of us, and there will never be another like her. She was truly one of a kind.

Wendy is survived by her mother Marian Shephard of Wayzata, MN; sisters Kim Keena of Emerado, ND, Shelle (Mike) Schmidt of Grafton, ND, Tammy (Mike) Mack of East Grand Forks, MN, and Cathy (Tim) Gilleland of Crookston, MN; nieces and nephews Bobbie O'Connor, Jon Gilbertson, Michelle (Andy) Belbas, Adam Mack, Brandi Gilleland-Narvaez, and Eric Gilleland; her cat Peaches; and numerous aunts, uncles, cousins and friends.

Wendy was preceded in death by her father Charles Keena; stepfather Duane Shephard; partner Shane Erickson; and brother-in-law Sam Tweten.

Please join us celebrating her life Friday afternoon, December 26, 2025 at Dahl Funeral Home, 2029 Central Ave NW, East Grand Forks, MN. Service will start at 2pm with visitation starting at 1pm. The family invites you to an informal reception, immediately following the service, at American Legion, 1009 Central Ave NW, East Grand Forks, MN.

In lieu of flowers, the family encourages you to buy a round of drinks at your local watering hole!