Elsie Marie Keegan, a tribute to her life. Elsie was born in Lancaster, Kentucky, February 11, 1916 to Mary Inez and Ulysses G. Raines. Her father died when she was four. She was very close to her mother and sisters, Mattie B. and Lida Mae.

Elsie met Larry the cowboy with the big belt buckle from Terre Haute, Indiana, and she the sophisticated lady at Emanual Baptist Church. They were married January 24, 1941. Pat was born three years later on July 3, on July 19, 1941 Larry left to serve in the Navy during World War 2. Elsie stayed in Indianapolis to raise Pat with the help of her mother and sister, Lida. When Larry returned they had their second daughter, Jane on September 16, 1947.

Elsie worked at RCA but decided to be a full time homemaker. Pat was proud to say that she and Jane never had a babysitter because Larry felt that his success in business was due to Elsie's wiling to support him when he purchased Keegan Tool & Die Company. Times were lean but Elsie could really stretch a dollar. She never worried about having luxuries and often passed on something for herself to get something to her family. She seldom complained except the time Larry bought a 23-foot Cabin Cruiser. They enjoyed many years of boating with family and friends.

Larry was an amateur magician. Elsie was his lovely assistant. There shows were spectacular. They enjoyed making the audience laugh. Elsie loved to sew for the girls. She loved to mend things, fix snags, re-sew a loose sequin or replace a missing button. She made the girls party, prom, church and Easter dresses.
After Larry retired, he and Elsie enjoyed several year of traveling including a cruise with church family and friends.

On January 24, 1991 Else and Larry celebrated their 50th Wedding Anniversary at Emerson Avenue Baptist Church. It was a very special day of renewing their vows with family and friends. Emerson Avenue Baptist Church was the center of the Keegan family and Elsie and Larry were active at the church for 45 years.

When Elsie experienced a decline in her health, due to multiple strokes she moved to wildwood Nursing Home where she received excellent care. Larry went to help with her care twice a day for two years. Larry was honored to spend hours with Elsie because he was finally able to return the love and favors that she had given to him during 60 years of marriage.

Many came to visit Elsie including family, friends, people from church and grandchildren. She even had the opportunity to meet her first great-grandchild, Richard Keegan Siefert.

Elsie Keegan lived a long life filled with love and happiness. Her family, her church and the community loved Elsie dearly.
vTo know Elsie is to have loved Elsie.