June Keil

June Keil, 85, of Britt passed away Saturday, October 6, 2001, at the Hancock County Memorial Hospital in Britt.

June, the daughter of Guy and Jennie (Swanson) Dimond, was born June 18, 1916, on a farm near Britt.  She attended school near her rural Britt home until March 1928.  The family then moved to a larger farm northwest of Wesley, where she completed seventh and eighth grades in the nearby school.  The following fall, she returned to Britt to attended high school; she boarded in town those years, returning to her home most weekends.  She was graduated in May 1934 and then attended one year at Britt Junior College, after which she taught two years in a rural school.

In August 1937, she married Howard Sparks of Wesley at her parent's home.  The couple resided and farmed near Wesley, with his brother.  In September 1938, a baby boy Darryl, was born to them.  Five years later in June 1943, they welcomed a second son, James.  By this time, they were living on their own farm, near Burt.  They farmed until May 1967, when Howard passed away.  In October 1969, Darryl passed away very unexpectedly; followed in October 1977, by his widow, Betty.

June continued to live on the farm until October 1976, when she married Maurice Keil of Ledyard, and moved to Ledyard.  In the fall of 1987, they purchased a home and moved to Britt.  Maurice passed away from cancer in January 1996.

June was a member of United Methodist Churches where she lived; the lase one being in Britt.  She taught Sunday School and was Sunday School Superintendent for many years.  She enjoyed church work, Bible Studies, Nota Bene Club, reading, and most of all her family.  She also loved gardening and growing glads.

June is survived by her son, James and his wife, Bonnie of Bettendorf; two grandchildren Brandi of Bettendorf and Joshua and his wife, Jenny of Dallas, Texas; four step-grandchildren and their mates: Brent Keil, Naperville, Illinois, Bruce Keil, Lakeville, Minnesota, Pam DeBoer, Northfield, Minnesota, and Scott Keil, Manly; six step grandchildren; eighteen nieces and nephews and a host of other relatives and friends.

Preceding her in death are her husband, Howard Sparks; son Darryl and his wife Betty; her parents; her second husband, Maurice, one sister Carolyn Dawson, and one brother, Myrwin Dimond.