NEW ULM–Joyce Elaine Keene of New Ulm, MN passed away at Oak Hills Care Center on January 26, 2024 at the age of 93. Joyce was born on November 12, 1930 in Rush City, MN to Alfred and Clara (Leer) Osell, and was the youngest of five children. At the age of four, she moved with her family to Henderson, MN. She attended school there and graduated from high school in 1948. She went on to attend Mankato State College, where she received a degree in elementary education. She taught school in Cannon Falls and Waconia, MN. On March 28, 1953 she married Clinton T. Keene at the St. Paul’s United Church of Christ in Henderson. They resided in St. Peter, MN while Clinton was finishing his college education at Mankato State. They moved to New Ulm in 1955. Joyce loved music and sang in the church choir at the UCC in New Ulm for many years. She enjoyed playing cards with her friends and was in numerous card groups. She worked part time at Patterson Jewelry Store in New Ulm for a number of years. She is survived by her two sons: Thomas (Nancy) Keene of Alexandria, MN and David (Laura) Keene of New Ulm, and also by her brother Don Osell of Grand Rapids, MN. She is also survived by her grandchildren: Alissa (Josh) Theis of Sauk Rapids, Bethany (Ryan) Buus of Rochester, Lindsay (Luke) Zupan of Duluth, and her step-grandchildren : Kris(Justine) Anderson of Fargo, ND and Amanda (Chris) Duffy of New Brighton, MN. She was proud to have 15 great- grandchildren: Lydia, Celia, Sullivan, and Sawyer Theis; Ellory, Hadley, and Maeley Buus; Louis and Roslyn Zupan; Rogen, Reese, Rhett, and Maeda Duffy; and Easton and Colby Ebeling. She was preceded in death by her husband Clinton, her parents, two sisters and a brother, and her great-grand daughter Reese Duffy. Joyce was very proud of her extended family, including all of her grandkids and great grandkids whom she deeply loved. She always said her favorite job was being a grandparent. She was a lifelong fan of both the MN Twins and Timberwolves. She was also extremely proud of being a first generation American, as her father was born in Sweden and came to this country with his family at 11 years old.

Blessed be her memory. She will be missed by many!

A visitation is planned for April 27, 2024 from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at Minnesota Valley Funeral Home South Chapel.

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