Rueben Emil Keip

Sun Prairie -- Rueben Emil Keip, age 90, passed away Tuesday, June 16, 2009 in his home in Sun Prairie, WI after a long illness. He was born on February 15, 1919, the son of Emil and Anna (Reidiman) Keip, in Columbus,WI. Rueben was united in marriage to Doris Linck on October 10, 1946. Rueben lived in Beaver Dam for 17 years before moving to Sun Prairie in 1963. He worked as an auto mechanic for most of his life at various dealerships until his retirement. During WWII, Rueben served with the U S Army as a sergeant where he was a gunnery instructor.. Rueben enjoyed gardening, woodworking, doing handy work around his home and was very mechanically inclined.

In his declining years, he was cared for by his loving son Ronald, for which he was deeply grateful.

Rueben is survived by his sons, Ronald Keip of Aurora, IL and Richard Keip of Cambria; his grandchildren, Michael (Ann) Tallard, Laurie Kennedy, Heather Ryan, Holly Tallard and Norman Keip; great grandchildren, Colleen and Karissa Kennedy, Gaetane Cardarella, Taylor and Brooke Tallard and Sebastien, Seth, and Andreanna Keip; a brother, John (Elaine) Keip; a sister, Ruth Koerner; sisters-in-law Caryl Keip, Eileen Keip and Donna Dowdell; brother-in-law Mickey Alberts; many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Rueben was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, Doris Keip, daughter, Barbara

Tallard, brothers, Lawrence, Elmer, Lester and Walter, sisters, Dorothy, Esther, Beatrice and Margaret and a great grandson, Michael.

Funeral services will be held at CRESS FUNERAL HOME, 1310 Emerald Terrace, Sun Prairie, on Saturday, June 20, 2009, at 11:00 a.m. with Rev. Dr. David J. Berggren officiating. Burial will follow at Sacred Hearts Catholic Cemetery in Sun Prairie. A visitation will be held at the funeral home on Saturday from 10:00 a.m. until the time of service. A reception will follow the burial at JB's Italian Grill, 1086 Emerald Terrace.

The family would like to give a special thank you to the staff at Elder Care for their excellent care of Rueben for the past 10 years. They would also like to thank HospiceCare for helping care for Rueben at the end.