Emma Keck

Emma Jeannette (Olson) Keck, 93, of Hammett, died Nov. 12, 2017, at Stonebridge Assisted Living Center, in Hagerman.

She was born March 13, 1924, in Beattie, Kansas, the youngest daughter of Theodore and Edla (Halstrom) Olson. Both of her parents died when Jeannette was 15 years old. Her older sisters then raised her.

Jeannette graduated as valedictorian of the Beattie, Kansas high school class of 1941. She was particularly proud that all five of her children graduated from college.

Jeannette married Daryl M. Keck, on July 29, 1942. They met when Daryl was 12 and Jeannette was 10.

By 1942, Daryl was living and working in Long Beach, California and Jeannette was living and working in Kansas City. They wrote a lot of letters. In her 18th birthday letter in March of 1942, was Daryl’s proposal of marriage.

Daryl and Jeannette were married for 68 years. They had five children. Her family was the focus of her life and the source of great joy and satisfaction.

Jeannette was a sincere and devoted woman of faith throughout her life. The rural Salem Lutheran Church, the heart of the Swedish Lutheran community near Beattie, Kansas, shaped her early religious life.

After Daryl returned from WWII, they settle in Jerome, Idaho where they were active members of the First Christian Church for 16 years. When they moved to the Saylor Creek Ranch south of Hammett in 1962, they became active members of the Hammett Community Church for many years.

Reading the Bible, Christian books and devotional materials were a regular part of Jeannette’s daily life.

Being raised during the heart of the depression, Jeannette learned to value the pleasure of simple things. As a child, she learned to play pinochle and later in life enjoyed playing Skipbo.

In addition to being a prolific reader, she enjoyed crossword puzzles, canning, sewing, crocheting and knitting.

In the early years of their marriage, Jeannette and Daryl were active members of a square dance club in Jerome. Then, there was her swan collection –hundreds of swans.

Her husband Daryl and all of her five siblings preceded her in death.

Jeannette is survived by her five children: Jerry (Anne) Keck of Helena, Montana; Darlene (Fred) Marmie of Hagerman, Idaho; Bob (Sharon) Keck of Caldwell, Idaho; Diana (Rocky) Dillenburg of Pendleton, Oregon; and Kevin (Cathie) Keck of Silver Peak, Nevada; 14 grandchildren; and 22 great-grandchildren.

A memorial service celebrating Jeannette’s life will be held at 11:00 a.m., on Saturday, Nov. 18, 2017, at the Hammett Community Church. Cremation was under the care of Rost Funeral Home, McMurtrey Chapel.

The family suggests contributions to the Hammett Community Park Fund, care of Pioneer Federal Credit Union, 114 No. Commercial Str., Glenns Ferry, ID 83623, in lieu of flowers.

The family would like to thank the staff of Stonebridge Assisted Living Center in Hagerman and Auburn Crest Hospice for their loving care.