Joan Frances Keener

Joan Frances (Clary) Keener, of Green Bay and formerly of Antigo, died February 26, 2022 in Green Bay with family by her side. Joan was born January 8, 1931 in Chicago, IL to the late Alfred M. and Jeannette E. (Skene) Clary. She was a 1952 graduate of Bowling Green State University in Ohio, earning a BS in Education. On August 16, 1952, she was united in marriage to Robert Lewis Keener at Redeemer Lutheran Church in Park Ridge, IL. He survives and resides in Green Bay. Joan taught elementary school, primarily kindergarten and third grade, in Columbus, OH and Frankfort, IL. She was one of her son’s favorite teachers! She and Robert were long-time members of the Antigo United Methodist Church. Joan volunteered at the Langlade Memorial Hospital, and also as a presiding officer for the Red Cross Blood Mobile while living in Antigo. Other volunteer efforts included knitting caps for the American soldiers in Iraq and sewing teddy bears for the less fortunate children in the areas surrounding The Villages, Florida during her years living there. Joan was a very social person and loved hosting friends and neighbors for picnics and dinners. (She made the best cheesecake ever!) She enjoyed bowling, golfing, playing bridge, travel, cross-stitch and sewing (especially her children’s Halloween costumes and quilts for her grandchildren and great-grandchildren). Joan also enjoyed music - singing in the choirs of her church while in Frankfort, IL and Antigo, WI, and resuming piano lessons as an adult. She loved nature. Watching the deer at the wood’s edge, hummingbirds at the feeders, and the eagles soaring over the lake while on vacation in northern Wisconsin, were exciting for her. Survivors, in addition to her husband, include her daughter Kay (Dave) Harpole of Green Bay, WI; three sons: John (Brenda Autz) Keener of Lodi, WI, Will (significant other Tera Junion) Keener of Lake Tomahawk, WI, Jim (Michelle) Keener of Geneseo, IL; grandchildren: Brenda (Paul) Reinhard, Scott (Jenna) Harpole, Kathryn Keener, Matthew (Lauren Nichols) Keener, William Keener, Nathan Keener, Elizabeth Keener, Kirsten (Benjamin) Hockman, Nick (Erin) Keener, Ben Keener; great-grandchildren: Hayden Reinhard, Avery Reinhard, Carter Harpole, Lydia Harpole, Rebecca Hockman, Michelle Hockman, Benjamin Hockman; a sister Carolyn J. (Roger) Hammer of Bonita Springs, FL; and nieces and nephews. In addition to her parents, Joan was preceded in death by an infant brother Alfred Donald Clary and daughter-in-law Nancy E. (French) Keener. Memorials in memory of Joan may be directed to the Antigo United Methodist Church in lieu of flowers. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, June 25 at 11:00 AM at the Antigo United Methodist Church. Reverend Debbie Pimm will officiate. Visitation will be Friday, June 24 from 4:00 pm until 6:00 pm at Strasser-Roller Funeral Home and on Saturday at the church from 10:00 am until the time of the service. Interment will be in Elmwood Cemetery. The family extends a special thank you to the 4th floor staff at Bellin Memorial Hospital in Green Bay, especially to Dr. Al-Khalisy, for their care of Joan during her battle with COVID. Friends may visit online at strasserrollerfuneralhome.com.