In loving memory of

Nancy Keel
May 3, 1942 - January 25, 2020

NANCY KEEL
MUSCATINE, Iowa - Nancy L. Keel, 77, passed away on Saturday, January 25, 2020, at Clarissa C. Cook Hospice House, after a short stay.

Graveside service will be held in Memorial Park Cemetery at a later date. Memorials may be made to the Muscatine Community College Foundation, Wartburg College, or Zion Lutheran Church. The Ralph J. Wittich-Riley-Freers Funeral Home will be in charge of arrangements. Online Condolences: www.wittichfuneralhome.com


Nancy was born on May 3, 1942, in Muscatine, the daughter of Byron and Lorraine Miller Keel.

Nancy graduated Muscatine High School in 1960, Wartburg College in 1964, and the Denver University in 1968. She taught speech and drama at Muscatine Community College for 40 years before retiring in 2008.

She was a member of Zion Lutheran Church, sang in the church choir, and was a member of Harper's Delight. Nancy enjoyed photography, gardening, and nature.

Those left to honor her memory include her sister, Jane Keel of Charles City; and her cousins, Mary Ann Zogg, Beth Anne Zogg, and Mark Zogg.

She was preceded in death by her parents.

Tributes

Jim Bishop wrote on Feb 8, 2020:

"My fond memories of Nancy was when she was teaching at Muscatine Community College. I had the honor of getting to know her more when being in a couple of theatre productions there. I also enjoyed getting to know her mother who was there at rehearsals quite often. And who could forget seeing Nancy coming down the hallway with her dog alongside her. She was such a fascinating and kind woman."

kahla jackson wrote on Feb 2, 2020:

"I met Nancy for the first time in 1979. I was a young woman of 19 running for Miss Muscatine. She was very kind and I continued to do plays and other activities in the community. She had a good heart and shared her knowledge and wisdom with everyone she came across. My condolences to her family! She will be missed!"

Doug Killian wrote on Jan 29, 2020:

"My memory failed me. I saw 6 Rms, Riv Vu in 1974 at the Playcrafters Barn Theater in Moline."

Doug Killian wrote on Jan 29, 2020:

"I was a sports-obsessed sophomore with no appreciation of theater when I took Nancy Keel's Intro to Theater class at Muscatine Community College in 1974. For the class I saw Fiddler on the Roof at Hancher Auditorium in Iowa City and Same Time, Next Year at the Playcrafters Barn Theater in Moline. I was hooked. Since then I have enjoyed theater on a regular basis, from Boise to Lihue, from Hollywood to Broadway to London's West End. Thank you for the inspiration."

Kay Wertman wrote on Jan 28, 2020:

"Sorry to lose another Childhood friend. My sympathy to all her family and our classmates and friends. May you rest easy Nancy. ?????Kay Wertman"

Pete Terry wrote on Jan 27, 2020:

"Nancy was our neighbor for 15 years. It was always a joy to talk to her about all the plants & trees she enjoyed. She was always educating me. I am so sorry to to hear of her passing. "

Connie Hoekstra wrote on Jan 27, 2020:

"My fortunate encounters with Nancy began in her first years of teaching at MCC. Her style of directing taught me much and stayed with me when I directed local community theatre in Wilton. Many years later she gave me a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to be on stage with my daughter when she directed "Edith Stein." Nancy was so wonderful to open the doors of MCC theatre to Muscatine and the surrounding communities. "

Honey Bedell wrote on Jan 27, 2020:

"I had the pleasure of knowing Nancy as a colleague for many years through Eastern Iowa Community Colleges. Her passion for her students, teaching and opening the jobs of theatre to the entire community were both legendary and inspiring. She was one of a kind, and she will be missed."

Stephen T. Holland wrote on Jan 26, 2020:

"So appreciated Nancy for her dedication to teaching and friendship. I participated in one play, The Secret Garden. I was very impressed with how Nancy pulled together the performance. With one week before the opening night, I wondered just how this would come together. Then, boom, she grabbed the reins, not tightly, not sternly, but firmly and the preparation changed immediately. Secret Garden was a success and an example of a professional teacher at work, one who knew secrets of her own. What a joy the experience was for me!"