Jeannette D. Haugsness Keck

Jeanette Dorothy (Haugsness) Keck, 78, passed away, Monday, August 6, 2012. Jeanette was born November 18, 1933 in Kelly, KS the daughter of Sverre J. (Tillie) Haugsness and Lillian Weber Haugsness. Jeanette married George Keck, Jr. on June 9, 1952 in Seneca. He preceded her in death on September 28, 2011. She worked at Jostens Yearbook in the layout department where she retired in 1989. She was a notorious prankster who could solve almost any problem with immense creativity and joy. Even into middle age she would do such things as don a costume on Halloween and “trick or treat” the homes of her friends or make a sponge cake out of actual kitchen sponges carefully frosted with chocolate icing and meticulouosly decorated to camouflage the underlying base. She was an avid “garage-saler” spending most Saturday mornings tromping the streets of Topeka looking for the best deal possible. She loved a good bargain more than she loved her “Wheel of Fortune” at which she was a world class contestant, but never got the chance to audition. She knew the answers before Pat and Vanna. She was active in social agencies and especially instrumental in the R.E.A.C.H. program at Most Pure Heart of Mary in Topeka. She was also deeply involved in Let’s Help where she was on the Board of Directors and often raised significant amounts of money through her ability to organize fundraisers such as the Topeka Chicken Flying contest. Through both of these endeavors she touched the lives of so many people in a positive way that words don't begin to impart the effect she had on people. It was through these efforts that she taught her children and so many others the love she had for others and for God. Most of all, she was a great mother, grandmother and wonderful great-grandmother who enjoyed her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Survivors include, daughter, Debbie (Bill) Anderson; daughter, Kathy Hawkins; son, Tim Keck; son, Dan (Kathy) Keck; grandchildren, Jessica, Steven, Travis, Megan, Michael, Samantha, Scott, Hannah, Tyler, Jacob, Jacob P., Jon, Sarah, Emily, Nicholas, Lucas and six great grandchildren, siblings, John Haugsness, Bill Haugsness, Milton Haugsness, Larry Haugsness, Dick Haugsness, Elizabeth “Betty” Brannam, Karin Reilly and Margaret Albers. She was preceded in death by her parents, two brothers, a sister and a grandson. Visitation will be held from 6-8 p.m. Thursday at Kevin Brennan Family Funeral Home, 2801 SW Urish Rd, Topeka, KS 66614, where a parish rosary will be prayed at 6 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated 10 a.m., Friday at Most Pure Heart of Mary Catholic Church. Burial will follow at Mount Calvary Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to the Nathan Keck Memorial Scholarship Fund through Kansas State, c/o the funeral home.

Jeannette D. Haugsness Keck

November 18, 1933 - August 6, 2012