Dawn Rae Keenan, 75, of Manchester, Iowa, passed away on Saturday, July 6, 2024, at the Good Neighbor Home in Manchester. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, July 13, 2024, at St. Mary Catholic Church, Manchester. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service at the church. Burial will follow at the Evergreen Cemetery, Delhi. Bohnenkamp-Murdoch Funeral Home & Cremation Service in Manchester is assisting the family.
Dawn was born March 26, 1949, in Monticello, Iowa, the daughter of Erland and Maryella (Duart) Carlson. She graduated from Maquoketa Valley High School in 1967, and went on to attend Ellsworth Community College, the University of Northern Iowa, and Northwest Missouri State University, receiving her degree in Elementary Special Education. On September 26, 1969, she married Gerald “Jerry” Keenan at St. Mary Catholic Church; to this union, two sons, Chris and Kelly, were born. Dawn worked as an Upper Elementary Special Education Teacher for the Corning School District, AEA and Independence School District, and then worked as a program assistant for B & D Services and Midwest Opportunities. Dawn was passionate about animals, supporting numerous rescues. She had a green thumb and loved to tend to her flower garden. In her downtime, she indulged in crime shows.
Dawn is survived and lovingly remembered by her husband, Jerry of Manchester; two sons, Chris Keenan of San Diego, California and Kelly Keenan of Manchester; grandkitty, Stitch; brothers, Ronnie (Carol) Carlson of Cedar Rapids, and Royce (Cathy) Carlson of Manchester; brothers and sisters in-law, Aggie (Jim) Doyle, Mary Jo Munkel, Richard (Terese) Keenan and Ellen “Katie” Gish.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Erland “Swede” and Maryella Carlson; and nephew, Rod Carlson.
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