Beverly F. Keppy

Beverly “Bev” F. Keppy, 76, of Donahue, Iowa, died at Genesis East Medical Center on Saturday, April 1, 2023, after a long and hard-fought health battle.

Visitation will be from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. Friday, April 7, 2023, at Schultz Funeral Home, DeWitt. A private funeral service will be held, and she will be laid to rest at Walcott Cemetery.

Bev was born on November 4, 1946, the daughter of Lawrence and Ruby (Knutsen) Roehs.  She graduated from Davenport Central High School in 1964.  On July 21, 1967, she married the love of her life, Jack Keppy.

Bev’s life was a life fully lived, and will forever have an impact on her family, friends, and community.

In her early years, she worked as a dental assistant (even while still a student at Davenport Central), a secretary at Walcott School, and at Sears in downtown Davenport.  She later graduated from Rex’s Academy of Beauty, and was a beautician for many years. Later she was a Longaberger Company Advisor for over 20 years.  Throughout all of this, her greatest and most enjoyed work was that done at home, as a partner in the farm built with Jack.  She loved every inch of their home and farm, their gardens, and everything about the farm.  As an active partner in their farm, she loved watching things grow, helping with field prep, baling hay, and looked forward to harvest.

Bev’s zest extended beyond the farm and family, and she will have an everlasting impact on the greater community due to her extensive volunteer work. While her children, Wendy and Jeff, were younger, she was a leader of Cub Scouts and Camp Fire Girls, followed by 4-H leadership roles, for both boys and girls 4-H clubs, for several years.  She was active on the North Scott Music Booster and Athletic Booster boards, President of the John Glenn PTO, and cherished her time on the Junior Board of the Tri-City Symphony.  Many will recall that she was a co-founder and long-time co-director of the Donahue Sodbuster, a 20-year volunteer of the Strawberry Run, Co-organizer of the Moonlight Chase, co-founder and organizer of the Resolution Run, and BIX 7 Chairman for nearly 40 years.

Throughout all these activities and contributions, Bev most loved learning, exploring and meeting new people.  She always took an active interest in others, easily connecting with new faces and sharing a smile (and often a recipe or suggestion, too).

She loved traveling and had an insatiable level of curiosity everywhere she went, looking forward to major vacations numerous times every year.  When not traveling she enjoyed gardening, writing, cooking, and was a champion baker.  She found joy in the little things, loved her country, and easily found ways to beautify her surroundings.

Bev cherished time with her family and many friends.  Consistent with how she would always sign her correspondence, she would want to convey to everyone reading this the importance and priority to ‘Enjoy each day’.

Bev was preceded in death by her parents, Lawrence and Ruby Roehs, brother, Larry Roehs, and in-laws, Ralph and Viola (Peters) Keppy.

Survivors include her husband of nearly 56 years, Jack; daughter, Wendy (Marc VanDeVoorde), son Jeff (Heather); granddaughters Jillian and Alene; a sister Diane; and many nieces, nephews and cousins.

In honor of Bev’s memory, donations are requested for the Donahue Volunteer Fire Department.

Arrangements are in the care of Schultz Funeral Home, DeWitt. Condolences may be expressed at www.schultzfuneralhomes.com

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