Goldie E. Keyes

Goldie Elaine Siebert Keyes was born May 11th, 1942 in Elysian Township to Albert and Helen Siebert. She was the youngest of five children. Betty, Dorothy, Evelyn, & Donna were her sisters. In 1945 the family moved to Waseca and she attended school there and graduated in 1960. She then went to work at Jostens in Owatonna where she was an office worker. She then went to work at Northwest Airlines as a key punch operator. She then worked at EF Johnson Co. in Waseca.

On November 28th 1964 she was married to Dale Roy Keyes of rural Janesville. They lived on the family farm for the rest of their lives. In 1968 they welcomed their first Daughter Lori to the world, and at that point Dale took over the family farm. In 1970 they welcomed a second daughter Julie to the world, but she passed shortly after birth. In 1972 they welcomed a son, Curt to the world. Curt has since taken over the family farm.

In the 1970s Goldie went back to work at EF Johnson Co. where she was a stockroom worker. She worked there for 21 years. After the company closed she went to work at EI Microcircuits in Mankato until she retired in 2007.

In 2012 Goldie was a part of an Un-related Paired Kidney Exchange thru the Mayo Clinic. She was given the gift of a kidney from Phyllis McDonald. The two met and become good friends the since. Besides her children, the gift of a kidney was the greatest gift she could have received.

In 2018 Goldie was given the option of going back onto the transplant list, but she decided that she wanted to see someone younger and with a family have the chance and opportunity that the transplant afforded her the last 6 years. In January she made the courageous decision to stop dialysis treatments and spend the time she had left on earth with her family and friends.

One of her favorite things to do was meet up with old coworkers for dinner. She cherished these friendships greatly. She was a woman of just a few hobbies, knitting, reading, and spending time with her family were things that brought her joy.

She is preceded in death by her Parents Albert & Helen Siebert, her parents in law Gordon & Leona Keyes, her daughter Julie, her sisters Betty Jordahl and Donna Neuendorf, and husband Dale, and her sister in law June Olstad.

She is survived by her daughter Lori of Janesville, and her son Curt also of rural Janesville. She is also survived by her sister Dorothy (Gordon) Wobschall, Evelyn Pierce of Vancouver WA. She is survived by many nieces and nephews as well. Barb (Kevin) Ohara, Lavonne (Jim) Lock, Wendy (Jeff) Lock, Nancy (Richard) Sendt, Kay Neuendorf, Randy (Marlys) Wobschall, Stuart (Kim) Olstad, and her brother in law Lyle Olstad, Jessie (Phil) Jubert and son Henry, and Conor Olstad.

Goldie loved her life and had no regrets about it. She loved all of her family very much and cherished the friendships she formed over the years. Goldie will be remembered for her laugh and loving nature, and generous heart. The world was a better place with her in it. She was an amazing woman and mother.

Goldie passed away at her home in rural Janesville February 6th with her children Lori & Curt by her side as she transitioned from this earthly life. Goldie wanted her last moments to be spent with her children.

A celebration of Goldies life will be 3 PM on Sunday, February 10, 2019, with a gathering of family and friends for two hours prior all at Starkson & Steffel Funeral & Cremation Service ~ McRaith Chapel of Waseca.

It is Goldies wishes that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the Gift of Life Transplant house in Rochester MN.