Irene Annette Keast

Irene Annette Keast, longtime resident of Elk County, passed away October 11, 2020 at Augusta Lakepoint, in Augusta, KS. Irene was born September 22, 1924 on the family farmstead west of Howard, KS to Lawrence and Nellie (Forsyth) Thompson. She attended Union Center schools until high school, then attended and graduated from Howard High School in 1942. She attended Kansas State for 2 years. On July 6, 1947, Irene married Wayne Keast in Wichita, KS. Together they raised 3 children, Mark, Tom, and Annette. They enjoyed 60 years of marriage until he passed away in 2007. Irene and Wayne lived in Haven, KS and Beloit, KS for a short time before moving to the family farm in 1951 to take over due to Irene’s dads failing health. They worked the farm together for the next 40 years until they sold the farm and moved to Howard in 1990. Irene and Wayne enjoyed living in town, but also enjoyed doing some traveling when they could. Irene considered herself a housewife, but worked just as hard as anybody else on the farm. She was well known by the local hay hands in the community for the meals they would be served while working on the farm for the Keasts. She was very proud that she was a 3 rd generation Elk Countian, as her grandmother Forsyth settled here after traveling by covered wagon from Indiana. She was an active member of the Howard community. At one point she was a 4H leader, as well as a member of the Howard United Methodist Church, the Union Center Homemakers H.D.U., the United Methodist Women, and the American Legion Auxiliary. Above all, Irene was a mom and a grandma. She was very proud of her family, and her entire family meant everything to her. Irene is survived by her children: Mark Keast and wife Sandra of Aurora, CO Tom Keast of Elk Falls, KS Annette Barnaby and husband Richard of Longton, KS Sister, Shirley Doughty of Island Park, AR 4 grandchildren, and 6 great-grandchildren She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Wayne, and sister Faye Obins. Visitation will be held on Friday, October 23, 2020 from 5pm to 7pm at Countryside Funeral Home, 206 E. Washington, Howard, KS Graveside service will take place on Saturday, October 24, 2020 at 11:00 am at Grace Lawn Cemetery, Howard, KS Memorial contributions can be made to the Elk County Community Foundation and can be mailed to or left with the funeral home. Services entrusted to: Countryside Funeral Home, 206 E. Washington, PO Box 1233, Howard, KS 67349

Irene Annette Keast

September 22, 1924 - October 11, 2020