Donald Gene Keck

SIOUX CITY -- Donald Gene Keck, 82, of Sioux City passed away unexpectedly on March 4, 2011. We are oddly comforted by his passing on the birth day of his late wife, Ginny. We believe the Lord called him home as the ultimate gift for our mom.

Services will be 10:30 a.m. Thursday at Morningside Presbyterian Church in Sioux City. The Rev. Dave Koehler and Don's brother, the Rev. Harley Bill Keck, will officiate. Burial will be in Graceland Park Cemetery with military rites conducted by the Offutt Air Force Base Honors Unit. Visitation will be 4 to 8 p.m. today, with the family present 6 to 8 p.m. and a Masonic service at 7 p.m., at the Morningside Chapel, Christy Smith Funeral Home.

Don was born in Sioux City, on Nov. 25, 1928, the son of Harley and Lucretia (Troutman) Keck. He graduated from East High School in 1947. He was called to duty by the U.S. Air Force in 1952 and served in the Korean War. He returned home in 1954 and then received his bachelor's degree at Morningside College.

Don married Virginia "Ginny" VanDenberg on Sept. 7, 1952. With the exception of a few years in the 1950s, they were lifelong residents of Sioux City and very proud of it! They were blessed to have spent 55 years together before Ginny's passing in 2007.

Don was also blessed to have found his passion and niche in life which was history and teaching. He taught history and government at West Junior High School for more than 30 years. After his retirement in 1991, his greatest hobby was exploring cemeteries to find any unique story or epitaph. He turned all his findings into a slide show and began speaking for various groups, including a lifelong learning class at Western Iowa Tech Community College.

Don loved making fun of the English language, puzzle books, and having coffee with friends, but his greatest joy came from watching his grandchildren and great-grandchildren grow and learn. Whether he was attending a baseball or basketball game, a band or orchestra concert, a graduation, or a church play, he was always the proudest man in the room and never missed the opportunity to tell you so and point out any appropriate lesson to be learned.

The other great love in Don's life was his Masonry. He was a Past Master and treasurer at Morningside Lodge 615, a member of Scottish Rite, Stockyards Degree Team, High Twelve, Eastern Star and an honorary member of Kingsley Lodge. Don served as the Grand Marshal (95-96) and Grand Sr. Warden (00-01) for the Grand Lodge of Iowa. Don was also an active volunteer at the Ronald McDonald House.

Left to cherish Don's memory are his three children, Dale and special friend, Linda Lopez of Sheldon, Iowa, Mary Keck and Sheryl Murphy, both of Sioux City; nine grandchildren, Josh, Ben, Jacob, Kaley, Alyssa, Jenny, Jason, Anna and Sara; five great-grandchildren, Javonte, Christian, Jordan, Hunter and Kaydin; his brother and sister-in-law, Harley Bill and Alice Keck of Green Bay, Wis.; nieces, nephews, and friends; and beloved Masonic brothers.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Ginny; and his big brother, Les Keck.

Memorials may be directed to the family.