Lori Ann Keyes

LORI ANN KEYES, formerly of Iosco Township, passed away on January 8, 2025, at Centra Care in Redwood Falls, MN. Recently she was a resident of Franklin Restorative Care in Franklin MN.

Lori Ann was born November 27, 1967, to Dale & Goldie Keyes of rural Janesville. She was the first-born child of the couple. She was a joy to the family from the start. She grew up on the family farm with her paternal grandparents living nearby. She went to Waseca Public Schools for her education and graduated in 1986. In 1986, she was a Milk Maid to the Waseca County American Dairy Association Dairy Princess. After schooling she held several different jobs throughout the area. She milked cows for a few dairy farms in the area, which she enjoyed very much. After the milking career ended, she followed in her father's footsteps and learned to drive semi, hauling freight across the country. She enjoyed this very much as she was able to see a lot of the United States, but she didn't care much to drive in New York or New Jersey. She would often tell stories of the things she would see on the highways. After leaving the trucking industry she went to work for Mediacom cable in Waseca where she was a dispatcher and customer service representative. She loved her job there and the many coworkers who knew her as "Pete." In 2013, she moved to Arizona for a short time to spend time with her father who was a resident of Apache Junction and was enjoying his retirement there. In 2015, she moved back home to help take care of her mom and work from home for a private company. She loved taking care of her mom in her final years and keeping an eye on her brother who she lovingly called "GAWD". She enjoyed seeing him working the fields and watching the hawks circle above. They both believed that the hawks were the spirits of their father and grandfather watching over the farm. She loved this so much she had our neighbor Robin carve a hawk sitting on a telephone pole. It is a beautiful reminder that we have loved ones watching over us always. She was an avid animal lover throughout her entire life with many dogs, cats, and 3 horses. She carried a special love for all the animals that she cared for. She was very happy as a young girl riding her Shetland pony that was a gift from her grandparents. In her teens she had an Appaloosa, named Buckshot, that she would ride throughout the farm and surrounding area.

In 2010, she adopted a quarter horse that was a purebred and was named Raven, but that name has changed through the years by her brother. Ms. Tude was the first name change, and to the most recent name of "Glue Stick." She was not a fan of that name for the horse but would shake her head when she would see the horse respond to that name when called across from across the pasture. She loved all her animals more than life itself. Lori also enjoyed creating items for family and friends in her later years. She would crochet blankets for friends and family and had an extensive collection of yarn. After she fell at home in July of 2023, she took up the hobby of painting rocks and giving them to people that she encountered. She loved seeing people's faces when she would give them these items and it gave her great joy to see them smile. She even gave rocks to Kim Olstad to put in various locations to be found by strangers. She had a heart that was full of love. She will be missed by anyone that she knew throughout her life. I am sure that when she crossed over to heaven, she was greeted not only by loved ones that have gone before, but also by her animals that she loved so very much. What a reunion that must have been.

She is survived by her brother Curt, cousin Stu (Kim) Olstad and family, Aunt Evelyn Pierce of Washington, Eve's daughters Nancy, Wendy, Yvonne, Kay, Randy (Marlys) Wobschall, Barb (Kevin) O’Hara and many extended family members. She also has a large group of friends that she would consider family. She is preceded in death by her parents Dale & Goldie, a sister Julie, Paternal Grandparents Gordon & Leona Keyes, Maternal Grandparents Alvin & Helen Siebert, Lyle & June Olstad, Del & Betty Jordahl, Paul & Donna Neuendorf, Gordon & Dorothy Wobschall.

Rest in peace dear sister, you're free of your earthly bonds and your angel wings hopefully have a few purple feathers in there as well.

Visitation will be held from 1:00 – 2:00 PM on Sunday, January 12, 2025 at the State Street Chapel of Dennis-Steffel-Omtvedt Funeral and Cremation Service in Waseca. Sharing of memories will take place at 2:00 PM at the funeral home. Following the service, interment will be at St. John – Trinity Lutheran Cemetery in Iosco Township, Waseca County.