Coleen Ruth Keep

Coleen Ruth Keep, 81, of Henry, Nebraska, went to be with her Lord on Resurrection Sunday, March 31, 2024, at The Residency in Scottsbluff, Nebraska. A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m., Saturday, April 13, 2024, at Bethel Baptist Church in Torrington, Wyoming with Pastor Gary Hashley officiating. Ruth requested for guests to please wear Husker volleyball or general Husker attire to the ceremony. Cremation has taken place in accordance with her wishes. Memorials may be made to Bethel Baptist Church. Online condolences may be expressed by visiting Ruth’s obituary page viewable at www.reverencefuneralparlor.com.

Ruth was born on March 26, 1943, in Scottsbluff to Coy and Betty (Harriger) Guest. She attended Sunflower High School, graduating with the class of 1961. Ruth then attended Chadron State College where she received a bachelor’s degree in 1965.

Ruth was united in marriage to Larry E. Keep in the Spring of 1968. Together they welcomed a daughter, Kolene. 

Sunflower High School was where Ruth began what would become a 42-year career as an educator. She was employed at Sunflower from 1965 until 1968. She took a short break before settling in at Torrington High School where she remained from 1971 to 1999. She began teaching at Eastern Wyoming College in 1997 and eventually retired from there in 2010.

She was member of Bethel Baptist Church, the Morrill Forest Lawn Cemetery Board, several Bible studies, and was active in many church activities.

Hiking and fishing were some of her favorite activities in her youth. She enjoyed painting and creating watercolor art over the years as well. Throughout her entire life though, Ruth was a steadfast Husker fan. She never missed viewing a game and was notorious for “coaching” Husker Volleyball from her rocking chair. She also liked watching Husker football games, rodeos, and Westerns (anything John Wayne). Ruth loved to attend all the various activities her grandchildren, Logan and Sarah, were involved in while in school. Ruth was smitten when she became a great-grandmother to Bristol. They were blessed to live right next door to each other making it convenient to hang out often. Gardening and yardwork were not Ruth’s strongpoints, but she liked being active outdoors while trying her best at it. Teaching was her true passion, whether it was in a public-school classroom, at Bible studies or delivering life lessons. 

Survivors include her daughter, Kolene (Kevin) Woodward; grandchildren, Logan (Tegan) Woodward and Sarah (Dylan) DuRee; great-grandchild, Bristol Woodward; sister, Jan (Greg) Fulk; niece, Lacee (Stephen & Cillian) Smith; along with assorted cousins, extended family members, many friends, and beloved students.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Coy and Betty Guest; husband, Larry E. Keep; and many aunts, uncles, and cousins.