Manetta Keefer

Manetta Irene (Earle) Keefer of Clovis, New Mexico, formerly of the Fayette/Wadena area, died Saturday, Dec. 10, 2016.

Manetta was born in a log home in Albany, Iowa, on Aug. 29, 1915. The daughter of William Edward and Lavina (Harriman) Earle, she was the middle of five children.

She attended Frog Hollow School, Albany School and Fayette High School.

Manetta met Clay Vinton Keefer, the love of her life, on a football field in Wadena; he was the school’s guard.

The couple were married Oct. 22, 1932, in Wadena. After they married, they moved to a family-owned farm on Kornhill Road, midway between Fayette and Wadena. There, they raised their two children, Mardell, born in 1939, and Rickie, born in 1954, and loved the family farm for 45 years.

They were longtime members of Wadena Presbyterian Church.

In 1977, the Keefers moved to Guttenberg to start their life on the Mississippi River. There, they joined First United Methodist Church, and Manetta was twice chosen as the Guttenberg Volunteer of the Year.

In 2006, health concerns forced Manetta to move to Glendale, Ariz., to be close to her daughter, Mardell. These were good years.

Life’s next step required 24/7 care at her son Rickie’s home in Clovis, New Mexico. After a wonderful life spanning 101 years, Manetta was called home, passing away on Dec. 10, 2016.

She was a blessing to everyone who knew her.

Survivors include her daughter, Mardell Pinson, Unit 3062, 4730 West Northern Ave., Glendale, AZ 85301; her son, Rickie Keefer, and wife Margaret, 629 Sunland Dr., Clovis, N.M. 88101; and her two grandchildren, Melissa and Brian.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Clay; and her siblings, Hazel Earle, Lena Earle, Merville, Earle, and Wayne Earle.       1u1