Obituary of Mae Hulda Keith

Mae Hulda Keith, 85, passed away Wednesday morning, February 23, 2011, in the Monarch Wing of Skiff Medical Center in Newton. Funeral services for Mae will be 11:00 a.m., Monday, February 28, 2011, at the Pence~Reese Funeral Home in Newton, who have been entrusted with the arrangements. Rev. Merle Smith, Chaplain at Skiff Medical Center, will conduct the services. A visitation with the family will be held one hour prior to the services at the funeral home. In LIEU of flowers: Memorials in Mae's name are being designated to Hospice of Jasper County Monarch Wing. Burial will be in the Memorial Park Cemetery in Newton. Mae Keith, the daughter of George Edward and Ida Mae (Walker) Northway, was born September 10, 1925, in Boone. She attended school in Boone, had lived in Des Moines, moving to Newton in 1958. On December 4, 1945, Mae was united in marriage with Virgil James Keith in Knoxville. She had devoted her life to her family, and enjoyed crocheting, reading, camping, her garden, board games and cards. She was also a Den Mother for five years, for the Girl Scouts. Mae was preceded in death by her parents; her husband V. James Keith on December 22, 1991; a great-granddaughter Olivia Rose; a sister Georgia James; and a brother Martin Northway. Those left to honor Mae's memory include her son James Edward Keith (Brenda Nelson) of Newton; four granddaughters: Angela Kay, Selena Sue, Shawnna Marie and Charlena Ray; two adopted grandchildren: Andrew and Stacy VanDusseldorp; nine great-grandchildren, including Bella, Emery, Keaton and Mallela; a sister Mary VanCanon of Boone; and her many friends, including Richard and Shellie Jones of Newton. Calling hours will be Monday, One hour prior to services, with the family at Pence ~ Reese Funeral Home, 310 N. 2nd Ave. E., Newton, IA. The funeral will be Monday at 11:00 at the funeral home, with Rev. Merle Smith, Chaplain officiating. Burial will be in Memorial Park Cemetery, Newton on Monday.