Lillian Rose Keys
Lillian Rose Keys, 93, of Polson passed away at Polson Health & Rehabilitation Center on March 4, 2010.
Lillian was born on March 16, 1916 in Oakland, Iowa to George & Margaret Rust. Lillian graduated from Oakland High School in 1934.
Lillian was married to Joseph A. Keys for 40 years.
During WW II, Lillian kept books for the family feed & poultry business in Macedonia, Iowa. She raised two children and received her Montessori training in Council Bluffs, Iowa. She went on to teach 3 years in Iowa and 10 years in Southern California. Lillian moved to Polson, MT in 1987.
Lillian was the first “Grandma” chosen for the Polson School District. She worked for a year in kindergarten and the rest of the time she spent with the 3rd graders.
She loved to bake and was known for her orange rolls and pies. She loved children and was thrilled when she became a great-grandma to Madeline Smiley. Her family was very important to her and she was loved by them.
Her husband and her son Rev. Joseph A. Keys, Jr. and her daughter Julia Jane Bedell precede her in death.
She is survived by daughter-in-law, Sally (Keys) McConnell, and two grandchildren, J. Aaron Keys III and Jocelyn Keys Smiley.
A memorial service will be held on Saturday, April 10, 2010, 10:00 AM at First United Methodist Church, Polson. Messages may be sent to the family online at www.groganfuneralhome.com. The staff of Grogan Funeral Home and Crematory, Polson considers it a privilege to care for Mrs. Keys’ family.
I was Lillian’s Foster Grandparent Program Director. While she was in our program, and after, Lillian and I developed a special relationship. I was even honored to escort her to her grandaughter’s wedding. She was a very special person in many ways.
I am very sorry I didn’t know she had returned to Polson or I would have made it a point to visit her.
Thank you Sally, and the rest of your family for taking good care of Lillian. The last time I spoke to her she said she was moving to be closer to you and was so looking forward to being near family.
Sally and family, My thoughts and prayers are will you all at this time. How blessed she was to have all of you to love and care for her! Here’s to a life well lived Lillian, have fun in heaven! “Perhaps they are not stars but holes in the floor of heaven letting the smiles of our loved ones shine through to let us know they are okay!”
I miss her greatly. She loved telling me stories and I loved caring for her. She will always be remembered.