Bessie Keith
Bessie Keith, age 90 of Sandstone entered eternal life on February 9, 2022 at Essentia Health Care Hospice in Moose Lake, Minnesota after a lingering illness.
Bessie Alice Keith was born on December 2, 1931 in St. Paul, Minnesota, the daughter of James and Olga (Segler) Wescott. Shegrewupresiding in West St. Paul and was educated at Francis M. Grass Jr. High in W/St. Paul and Humboldt High School in St. Paul.
On February 7, 1952 she married Francis LeRoy Keith. After starting a family as a wife of a career military man, they were transferred to Rapid City, South Dakota then to Denver, Colorado. The family then relocated to West St. Paul, Minnesota where she, as a single parent, raised her children until her husband returned home stateside and retired from the military. Shewasemployed by Pearson Candy Company, Dayton's and finally as Café Manager for Gillette Factory in St. Paul for 20 plus years until retirement.
During her life, Bessie most of all treasured spending time with her family and friends and particularly enjoyed nature and the outdoors spending time at the family home on Lake Eleven near Sandstone. She loved fishing, playing outdoor lawn games and had a very competitive nature for Canasta and Hand and Foot.
She is survived by her seven children; Ardis (Allan) Brown of Stanley, WI, Audrey Keith of West St. Paul, Arlene (John) Scheibel of South. St. Paul, Duane Keith of Sandstone, David Keith of West St. Paul, Alice Keith and Arliss Keith of Inver Grove Heights, MN.; five grandchildren; Donald (Amber) Scheibel of Farmington, Gregory (Samantha) Scheibel of St. Paul, Michelle Keith and Matthew Keith of West St. Paul, MN and Jay (Denise) Brown of Stanley, WI.; seven great grandchildren and 3 great-greatgrandchildren. She is also survived by her special fur baby, Sophie.
She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Francis, sister Margaret Johnson, granddaughter Tammy Kinde Hayes, and niece Lila Ingleston.
Funeral services were held Thursday, February 17th at Johnson Peterson Funeral Home in St. Paul, MN with burial taking place at Fort Snelling with grandsons and great-grandsons acting as pallbearers.
