George W. “Sam” O’Keefe
Aug 18, 1924 – Jan 6, 2017
George W. “Sam” O’Keefe was born on August 18, 1924 in the town of Superior, Wisconsin. Hewas the son of Alice Groehler and George P. O’Keefe. His childhood was split betweenSuperior and a family farm in the Aitken, Minnesota area. He had two brothers, Frank and Don,and a sister, Alice Mae Austin.
After his graduation from Superior Central High School, he went to work at the Fraser Shipyard.He joined the Army Air Corps in 1943 and served with distinction in multiple European locations.After his discharge, he attended and graduated from college at the University of Wisconsin-Superior. He subsequently earned a graduate degree in banking from Rutgers University.
He met and married Marjorie Essen, the younger sister of one of his high school friends. They were married for over 53 years until Marge’s death in 2005. They had three bright and talented children: Deb O’Keefe-Hysack, Tim D. O’Keefe, and Pat O’Keefe, as well as a series of beloved pets and miscellaneous creatures. Three grandchildren, Malia Kramer-O’Keefe, Hannah Hysack, and Chris Hysack loved him dearly and called him “Gramps.” While some of his coworkers may have seen him as the stern banker, his family got the softer side of Sam. A witty man, he passed down a love for bad puns and plays on words to each of them.
Sam had a life-long love of music. He played the baritone ukulele with great style and was a talented singer, playing in several small groups and was always willing to entertain family and friends with song. He periodically appeared on TV and radio in commercials.
Sam and his family had a log cabin near Gordon, Wisconsin which they remodeled and developed from one room to a full summer home where the family stayed for over 35 years. One of Sam’s favorite parts of the cabin, beside family, friends and the crystal clear water, was his outdoor shed where he stored many treasures of rural life including hummingbird feeders and giant bags of seed for chipmunks and birds.
During his professional career he was a Senior Vice President and President of various Norwest Bank Corporation banks in Duluth and Virginia, Minnesota and Omaha, Nebraska. He was active in each of his local communities as Jaycee and Chamber of Commerce President as well as serving on several boards and foundations. He also enjoyed his participation with the Kiwanis and Shriners.
He retired in 1989 and moved to Fountain Hills, Arizona in 1997 to enjoy the company of friends and relax in the sun. He enjoyed the desert very much but also retuned annually to the north woods near Gordon and Hayward, Wisconsin. A little music, a little fishing, a little golf kept him active. He made a final move back to Omaha in 2009 to be closer to his family.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Marjorie L. O’Keefe. He is survived by his children: Deb O’Keefe-Hysack (Thomas), Tim O’Keefe (Laura Harada), and Pat O’Keefe (Merribeth); three grandchildren: Malia O’Keefe, Hannah Hysack, and Christopher Hysack.
SERVICES Tuesday, Jan. 10th at 11am at Morning Star Lutheran Church, 331 S. 85th Ave. Interment in Gordon, Wisconsin. In lieu of flowers, memorials will be directed by the family.
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