Ruth Joyce Keyes the daughter of Jesse Paul Gonnerman and Georgia Maude Eve Gonnerman , was born at Gresham, Nebraska on October 31, 1927 and entered into eternal life on Friday, June 24, 2016 at Shenandoah, Iowa, attaining the age of 88 years, 7 months and 23 days.

Ruth grew up on the family farm near Gresham, Nebraska, she attended Gresham High School graduating in 1945. She attended beauty school and owned her own shop for many years in Stromsburg, Nebraska. On October 5, 1947 she married Cleon Duane Keyes at Gresham, Nebraska. After their marriage they lived in York, Nebraska, they moved to Texas for 2 years, moving back to Stromsburg, Nebraska. In 1965 they moved to Shenandoah, where Ruth continued working as hair dresser, later becoming a bookkeeper at the local Coop until her retirement in 1991.

Ruth was a member of the First United Methodist Church, Order of the Eastern Star, United Methodist Women, Angel Quilters, American Legion Auxiliary. Ruth enjoyed sewing, quilting, ceramics, candle making, and keeping up with her family and friends on Facebook. She was also an avid Nebraska Cornhusker fan, she never missed a game.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Duane in 1980, and a sister Betty Carlson.

Survivors include her children, Dennis Keyes and wife Lynnette of Omaha, Nebraska, and Joyce Beard and husband Mike of Jefferson City, Missouri; grandchildren, Jake and Matthew Keyes, Tony and Andy Ginger, Cassie and Corey Beard; also survived by a brother, Tom Gonnerman of Stromsburg, Nebraska; three great grandchildren; along with other relatives and a host of friends.

Memorials may be directed to the Angel Care Home Health or Shenandoah First United Methodist Church.

Burial will be held 3:30 p.m., Wednesday, June 29, 2016 at the Stromsburg Cemetery in Stromsburg, Nebraska.