Mary Ann Keil

Mary Ann Keil

August 27, 1934 – March 26, 2021

Retired, Mutual of Omaha.  Preceded in death by husband of 60 years, James J. Keil; infant grandson, Parker J. Keil; siblings: Anthony, Gilbert, and Helen.  Survived by sons and daughters-in-law, Kevin and Sherry, Bill and Nicole; grandson, Braxton; sisters: Millie, Jean, Rose, and Lucy; nieces and nephews; other relatives and friends.

VISITATION observing CDC guidelines: Tuesday, March 30^th from 5pm to 7pm at the West Center Chapel.  MASS OF CHRISTIAN BURIAL: Wednesday, March 31^st at 12noon at St. John Vianney Catholic Church, 5801 Oak Hills Drive.  Interment, Calvary Cemetery.  Memorials are suggested to the Nebraska Humane Society or Project Pink’d.

To view live broadcasts of the Mass and Graveside Service, go to www.heafeyheafey.com and click the “View Live Cast” button on the home page.

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Mary Ann was a daughter, sister, wife, mother, grandmother, aunt, dedicated worker, and a GREAT Listener.

Mary Ann (Rerucha) Keil was born in Bellwood, Nebraska on August 27, 1934.  She lived on the farm with her brothers and sisters, without the comfort of electricity and running water, which is why she had a fondness for outhouses.  In her later years in Bellwood and David City,  she acquired her liking for drinking the beer.  In the earlier 50’s she had moved to the big city of Omaha, Nebraska with her sisters and started working at Mutual of Omaha in accounting related tasks.

Mary Ann was a dedicated hard worker and wife.  Meeting Jim Keil at Mutual of Omaha and marrying him May 4, 1957, their adventure would last 60 years.  Through her work with Mutual of Omaha, Mary Ann and Jim traveled around the world.  There are many stories of the great trips and journeys she and Jim would embark on for the company.  While at Mutual of Omaha, she had taken a leave of absence to raise her two boys, Kevin and Billy.   In 1989, she returned to Mutual of Omaha and retired in 1997 with 31 years of service.

Mary Ann was a supportive and loving mother.   She spent countless hours helping Kevin and Billy on schoolwork, teaching how to draw monsters, building Legos, sewing costumes for Halloween or a school play at St. Thomas More, and comforting a crying child after falling off a bike or feeling sick.  But one thing Mary Ann was known for, was hauling around a pile of kids in the back of the dark silver Jeep Cherokee Chief.

Mary Ann was a grandmother.   She enjoyed taking care of Braxton and having fun with him.   She would draw pictures, play cars, and farm with him.  The most fun Braxton had with Grandma Mary Ann was watching nursery rhymes on the computer.  They both got a kick out of that.

Mary Ann was a host.  She loved to entertain, whether it was a family holiday gathering or work gathering with friends.  She enjoyed the night life with a beer in hand.   In retirement, Mary Ann and Jim would go to their cabin (Keil’s Last Resort) on Lake Lida in Minnesota where they would host guests throughout the summer.  It became an annual stopping point for many.  In the winter months back home in Omaha, it was Friday night card games.

Mary Ann was a listener.  If anything, Mary Ann would listen to stories and problems for hours.   In the early years, she would be at a table with a beer in hand listening to everyone.   In the later years, it was phone calls.   She would start getting calls at 9 in the morning and would still be in her housecoat at 3 in the afternoon.  She would get calls from friends, sisters, nieces, sons, and daughters.   She would listen to problems, she would listen to how bad the Huskers are doing, she would listen to how good the job is going, she would listen to anything.

Mary Ann is survived by sons and daughters-in-law, Kevin (Sherry) and Bill (Nicole); grandson, Braxton (Bill & Nicole); sister-in-law, Mary Lou Sonnenfelt; sisters: Mildred Gauchat (Dick), Lucille Svoboda, Rose Rerucha, Jean Heckart (Richard), and Clarice Lake (Mike), and many nieces, nephews, and friends.