Carolyn Jane (Jacob) Keech, 79, of Overland Park, Kansa,s passed away on September 15, 2013, at Carmel Hills Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center in Independence, Missouri.

Carolyn was born January 6, 1934, in Cozad, Nebraska, the youngest of 11 children of John and Selma Jacob who farmed in the Cozad area. After graduating from Cozad High School, Carolyn taught in nearby country schools, grades 1-8, for 2 years. Wanting to obtain a bachelor's degree in education, Carolyn relocated to Kearney, Nebraska, where she attended Kearney State Teachers College, as it was known at that time. After graduating with her teaching credentials, Carolyn returned to classrooms at Sutherland and then North Platte while continuing her post-graduate education in Greeley, Colorado, during summer sessions. In 1965 Carolyn earned a master's degree in art education from the University of Northern Colorado. After moving to Omaha, Nebraska, she taught art classes at junior high schools.

Carolyn met her husband, Norm Keech, of Overland Park, Kansas, through mutual friends. After they married on June 28, 1969, she moved to Overland Park and began teaching art in Kansas City, Kansas. She later changed careers and worked for Beta Sigma Phi International, from which position she retired.

Carolyn was very active in the Lenexa United Methodist Church. She was a past president of their United Methodist Women's group and was in charge of funeral lunches for many years. She served as a Stephen Minister through her church, and she helped in the food pantry at Johnson County Multi-Services Center.

Carolyn was an avid reader and was always in search of that next great book to read. She enjoyed volunteering her time to help others, and at various times was a tutor, helping people learn to read, and she taught painting and drawing to Alzheimer's residents at a local care facility to help them express themselves through art.

Carolyn was preceded in death by her husband, Norm, in July 2012, and by her parents and 9 siblings. She is survived by her sister, Lena Yanney (Vernon); sisters-in-law Shirley Jacob, Earnestine Presley, and Billie Jean Keech; niece and caregiver Brenda Yanney; and many nieces and nephews.

Memorial Service

A Celebration of Life will be at 1:30 p.m., Friday, September 27, 2013, at Lenexa United Methodist Church. The family will greet friends following the service.

Memorial Contributions

Memorial contributions may be made in Carolyn’s memory to Lenexa United Methodist Church, 9138 Caenen Lake Road, Lenexa, Kansas 66215.