Eunice Martha Eda Keil

Eunice Martha Eda Keil, 91, formerly of Clinton, Oklahoma and residing in Kansas City for the past 7 years, passed away Tuesday May 21, 2019. Eunice Keil was born in Bessie, Oklahoma on July 20, 1927. She was the fourth of five children born to Gottlieb and Eda Gerner. Her father was born in Krasna Dolja, South Russland which later became part of Germany. Her mother was born in Lake Benton Minnesota. Eunice grew up in Western Oklahoma. She married Homer Keil November 9, 1946 in Las Vegas, Nevada. They were married for 65 years. Starting in 1947, Homer and Eunice bought and operated several different grocery stores in Bessie and Clinton, Oklahoma. Over the next 5 years her 3 sons were born. Eunice stayed at home with her three sons while they attended grade school. She supplemented the family income by ironing clothes every day for residents of Clinton. During 1961 through 1967 Eunice managed their grocery stores with the help of her 3 sons. She certainly understood the grocery business and instilled the importance of hard work and family values to her young boys. Even though Eunice worked during the time her sons were growing up, she was able to have them by her side while she worked. Eunice enjoyed going to the lake near Clinton for boating and fishing. Over the years, she and Homer owned several different campers and pontoon boats and enjoyed the time getting away during the evenings and weekends. In November of 1986 Homer and Eunice traveled to Las Vegas to celebrate their 40th wedding anniversary. This was the first time they had been back to Las Vegas since they were married. They liked being back and traveled there twice a year for the next 10 to 12 years. Eunice had been a caregiver all of her life. Her mother, Eda, entered a nursing home in 1974 and lived there for 17 years. During the entire time, Eunice made daily visits to see her. She had always been known for loving and "spoiling" her grandchildren and great-grandchildren as well as her husband. She also made every effort to make Homer as comfortable as possible during his declining years. She nursed him through knee replacements, hip surgeries, open heart surgery and cancer. Eunice is survived by her 3 sons, Norval Keil of Edmond, Oklahoma, Don and wife Patsy of Kansas City, Missouri and Leroy Keil of Clinton, Oklahoma; sister in law Rita Gerner of Prince George, Virginia; grandchildren, Chris Keil of Portland Oregon, Kelly Keil of Oklahoma City, Paula Pearcy and her husband Keith of Kansas City, Missouri, Jon Keil and his wife Victoria of Clinton, Oklahoma, David Keil and his wife Cortney of Ticonderoga, New York, and 5 great-great grandchildren. Eunice was very fond of all of her nieces and nephews throughout her life. She cared so much for each of them and treated them as they were her sons and daughters. Funeral services will be conducted by Pastor Jerry Lamb at the Trinity Lutheran Church in Clinton, Oklahoma at 10:00 am on Wednesday May 29th, 2019. Burial will conclude in the Clinton Cemetery under the direction of the Kiesau-Lee Funeral Home.