Helen Kay Keeney, a cherished mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, and friend, passed away on Wednesday, January 22, 2025, at the Jackson County Regional Health Center in Maquoketa, Iowa.

Helen Kay Ewing was born on February 21, 1940 in Maquoketa, Iowa, to Ivan and Verna (Jensen) Ewing.  She was a graduate of Elwood High School.  Her early life was marked by her marriage to James Keeney in May of 1962. Their union was blessed with three sons: Brian, Brent, and Brad, who brought immense joy to her life. Helen’s dedication to her family was evident in every aspect of her life, and she instilled in her children the values of hard work, integrity, and compassion.

Helen’s professional life was as rich and varied as her personal interests. She began her career at Clinton Engines in Maquoketa before dedicating 40 years of service as the secretary and bookkeeper for Mitchell-Maskrey Feed, also in Maquoketa, where she is well-known to this day as “The Sucker Lady”, for giving out tootsie pops to every child that would come in. In addition to her primary job, Helen took on various side roles, including working as a waitress at several local establishments including Michel’s Truck Stop, Maquoketa Country Club, Noby’s Restaurant, and Jack-N-Jill Grocery Store, and running the concession stand at the Maquoketa Baseball City Park for over 25 years.

Her involvement in the community extended to her membership at the First Lutheran Church in Maquoketa.  Helen loved spending time with her grandchildren, enjoyed doing word search puzzles, and despite her modesty, she was known to have a lucky streak at the casino, often winning, as it was well-known she never had much fondness for gambling!

Helen’s legacy is carried on by her three sons, Brian Keeney of Maquoketa, IA, Brent Keeney of Atlanta, GA, and Brad (April) Keeney of Bettendorf, IA; her longtime companion, Jim Ihrig of Baldwin, IA; her cherished grandchildren, Meagan (Chance) Garza, Amanda (Andy) Stefanik, Jeordon (Robert) Tempel, and Niklas Keeney; and her adored great-grandchildren, Wrangler, Rubi, Graham, Mia, and Jackson; her siblings, Jim (Pat) Peterman of Maquoketa, IA, Ruth Boock of Fulton, IL, Mary Van De Pol of Ankeny, IA, and Judy (Dave) Koon of Maquoketa, IA; in-laws, Nancee Peterman of Ft. Lauderdale, FL, Jean Ewing of Oxford Junction, IA, and Jerry Zybarth of DeWitt, IA. Helen’s life was also enriched by the presence of many nieces and nephews.  She was preceded in death by her parents, her daughter-in-law Pam Keeney, her brothers Paul Peterman, Raymond Ewing, Larry Ewing, and her sister Veronica Zybarth.

A graveside service and burial celebrating Helen’s life will be held at 11 A.M., Wednesday, January 29, 2025 at Hickory Grove Cemetery, rural Monmouth, Iowa.  A gathering of family and friends will be held from 4 to 7 P.M., Tuesday, January 28, 2025, at Carson Celebration of Life Center in Maquoketa.  Cremation has taken place.

In lieu of other expressions of sympathy, a Helen Kay Keeney memorial fund has been established.

Online condolences may be left at www.CarsonAndSon.com.