Earl Herman Keeney

Earl Keeney was born on July 19, 1931, in Absarokee, MT to Ernest A. Keeney and Kathryn A. Merten (Jendelle). He attended high school in Anaconda, MT. Having been part of the young men growing up during WW2 he was drawn to a military career and like so many others of that era he decided to make the sacrifice of his freedom, to help protect yours and mine.

Earl left behind his high school fiancé Catherine Buhl and joined the US Air Force in 1951. Earl served his country in England, Germany, Japan, Stateside, and during both the Korean and Vietnam Wars. Earl also had employment with the Anaconda Copper Co, in Great Falls and Anaconda, Heritage Inn, Civic Center and eventually retired from the Missouri River Manor.

He married multiple times over the years, always searching for the kind of love he had left behind so many years before. He finally reunited with Catherine Buhl just a few years ago and was privileged to walk alongside her as she journeyed to her final resting place.

Those that knew him best will tell you he was a sensitive man, a man who could appreciate the written words on a card, the twist and turns of a poem, and even in his own writings to others. He was a manly man who wasn't afraid to shed a few tears when moved by emotion. He enjoyed fishing, hunting, camping and cooking. He also had a passion for airplanes, especially vintage airplanes. He would travel near and far to attend an airshow. Earl was passionate about pretty much anything with an engine attached to it. He loved remote control airplanes and was a member of the Big Sky RC Club. He loved motorcycles and even got to ride one down the stairway just inside the south entrance of the Great Falls Civic Center (unintentionally). It’s a great story you will need to ask his kids about someday. His true love of engines came with the automobile. The louder and the faster the car went, the better he liked it. He requested his ashes be spread throughout the Helena canyon on a breezy day. This is a fitting place to hold his final act.

Earl was survived by a mixed brood of children, Ernest Keeney (Kim), Ramona Keeney, Earlene Keeney, Denise Mickealson (Ross), Renee Olgesby (Sidney), Brian Keeney (Loretta), Lynda Alborough (in the United Kingdom), Phillip Harper (Tara), Sandra Lewis (Steve), Steven Keeney (Julie), Maria Janousek (Waylon). Honorary child of Catherine Buhl, Anndine Woodruff (Woody). He is also survived by his last remaining sibling, Kathryn Kuntz of Warren, Michigan. Dad has a great number of grandchildren; great-grands; great-great-grands; as well as numerous other extended family members.

There will be no formal services per dad’s wishes and cremation has already taken place.

Dad passed last Friday (his birthday) at the age of 93. We found it interesting that his mom had also passed at age 93 and on a Friday.

We would like to thank the staff at Golden Eagle who took such good care of him. Dad had a few close friends he also left behind who were faithful to visit and encourage him as his health declined. Sandy and VA bus driver Larry were also such blessings to dad.