Obituary - Mildred M. Keene

Mildred M. Keene, 94, passed away on Thursday, Jan. 22, 2015, at Immanuel Lutheran Home in Kalispell of natural causes.

Cremation has taken place, and memorial services will be held at noon Saturday, May 9, 2015, at Van Orsdel United Methodist Church in Havre with Pastor John Ulrich officiating. In lieu of flowers, the family has suggested that memorials in Mildred's name be made to the Van Orsdel United Methodist Church, the Boys & Girls Club of the Hi-Line, or the Intermountain Children's Home, 500 S Lamborn S. Helena, MT 59601.

Holland & Bonine Funeral Home has been entrusted with services and arrangements. Please visit Mildred's online memorial page and leave a message of condolence for her family at http://www.hollandbonine.com.

Mildred was born on Nov. 15, 1920, at Burnham on the Grice homestead to Leroy and Clara M. (Moen) Grice with Mrs. C. R. Sterrett as midwife. She attended Devlin school and Havre High School, graduating in June 1939. On Feb. 10, 1942, she married Dewayne Sapp in Malta, and on Feb. 15, he left to serve in the U.S. Army Air Force in World War II. Mildred joined him in Texas, Illinois and later California. In 1944, she returned to Havre to raise their five children when Dewayne was shipped to the South Pacific. He returned to Havre upon his discharge from the military, and later passed away on August 23, 1965.

Mildred worked throughout the years as an accountant/office manager at Jones Electric, Havre Motors and Davidson Realty. As the children were growing, she spent many hours volunteering in the Girl Scouts and the Methodist Nursery School, serving as both a teacher and as a department head. She also served on the United Way Board and the Salvation Army Board over the years.

On Dec. 11, 1971, she married Charles Keene, and after his retirement in 1984, they enjoyed visiting various children, traveling in Europe, the British Isles, various Scandinavian countries, Australia, New Zealand, Hawaii, Alaska and much of the United States. They celebrated their 25th anniversary in September 1996, and Chuck passed away on Nov. 9, 1996. They enjoyed time with friends, fishing, boating, playing cards, and life in general, as well as helping others. Mildred was a lifetime member of Van Orsdel United Methodist Church, the PEO, the NILE and an original member of the Clack Heritage Foundation.

She was preceded in death by both of her husbands, Dewayne Sapp and Charles Keene; her parents, Leroy and Clara Grice; and one brother, Harold Grice.

Mildred is survived by her children, Linda (Lynn) Dumas of Big Sandy, Montana, Richard (Ester) Sapp of Grand Junction, Colorado, Robert (Deborah) Sapp of Kalispell, Lana (Kris) Sapp of Post Falls, Idaho, and Cheri (Jon) Rugg of Greeley, Colorado; Chuck's children, Morris (Yvonne) Keene of The Woodlands, Texas, Randi (Terry) Jarret of Aurora, Colorado, Warren Keene of Post Falls, Idaho, Steve (Maureen) Keene of West Yellowstone, Montana; her 14 grandchildren; and numerous great-grandchildren.