Beth Keese

Beth Keese, age 82, of The Willows of Marshalltown and formerly of the Laurel/Gilman area, died early February 5, 2022 at the Iowa River Hospice Home in Marshalltown. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Thursday, February 10 at the Laurel United Methodist Church. She will be laid to rest in the Graceland Cemetery at Laurel. Visitation will be held from 5-7:00 p.m. Wednesday at the Mitchell Family Funeral Home. For condolences, please visit www.mitchellfh.com. Ph. 641-844-1234. Born Beth Jean Sietmann on December 30th, 1939 in Marshalltown, she was one of two daughters born to Vernon and Wilma (Vieth) Sietmann of Laurel. She graduated from Laurel High School in 1958. She later graduated from Iowa State Teachers College and Drake University. On June 25th, 1960, she was united in marriage to the love of her life, Larry Keese, at the Zion Evangelical Church in Laurel. They were blessed with three children: Jana, Kent and Juli. “Mrs. Keese,” as she was known to her students, had a long and influential teaching career with LDF and then East Marshall Community Schools. In her 28 years as a Kindergarten teacher, she affected the lives of hundreds of students. Many will remember her annual production of the “Keese Kindergarten Circus.” She retired from teaching in the Laurel Elementary School, the same school where she began her education. Beth was an active community member in Laurel. She was a founding member of the Laurel Federated Club. She enjoyed music, playing piano alongside sister Wanda and being involved in the Vacation Bible School and King’s Kids programs, serving the Laurel UM church and as a member of the United Methodist Women. She also devoted time as a volunteer at the MMSC gift shop. She will be fondly remembered for sending her handmade cards and being the voice and character behind the “Morris the Moose,” “Lolly” and “Lambchop” puppets. Left to cherish her memory are her children Jana (Mark) Lyle of Haverhill, Kent Keese of Gilman and Juli Keese of Fort Dodge; granddaughters Sara Lyle of Baxter and Emily (Cody) Prusha of Garwin; great grandchildren Lily and James Pickett, Emma Ryherd, Ellie and Cade Prusha; sister-in-law Lois Cory of Marshalltown and many nieces, nephews, cousins, friends and former students. In death, she rejoined her beloved husband Larry, her parents Vernon and Wilma, sister Wanda (and her husband Raymond) Smith, nephew Brent Smith, sister- and brother-in-law Shirley and Ronald Settle, brother-in-law Allen Cory and her in-laws Arthur and Gayle Keese. Memorials may be directed to the Laurel United Methodist Church.