Erma D. Keenan

Erma Keenan

Erma Keenan died May 4, 1997, in Pine Bluffs after a long illness. She was born Nov. 14, 1915, in Arkinson, Neb. Her parents were Harry D. and Neletta P. Howard, who returned to Niobrara County in 1917 after prior residence there in the early years of this century. She grew up and attended school in Manville. She was a gifted piano player and an outstanding member of the basketball team on which she played the forward position. After attending Simpson College for a year, she worked as stenographer in the Niobrara County Clerk's office. She also attended Barnes Business College in Denver, completing the course in record time. Pine Bluffs has been her home since she married Murrin Keenan in January 1939. The couple became parents of four sons who grew up and attended school in Pine Bluffs.

She was a piano teacher to many students in the area and served as accompanist to scores of musicians. She was organist at the Pine Bluffs Methodist Church for some time.

Her husband died in 1984. Two brothers, Ransom and Ralph, died during the family's early years in Manville; brothers Ross of Cheyenne and Robert Howard of Calimesa, Calif., preceded her in death as did her sisters, Edna DeCastro of Lusk and Emma Richardson of Manville.

Survivors include Boyd and wife Mary Frances of Sacramento, Calif.; Vern and wife Trudy of Albin; Ronald and wife Mary Lou of Englewood, Colo.; Robert and wife Pamela of Mesquite, Texas, 10 grandchildren and numerous nephews and nieces.

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