Obituary of Senia Keski

Senia Keski, 84, of Kenosha, died on Thursday, October 22, 2009 at Golden Living Center in Kenosha, Wisconsin. Senia Amanda Sironen was born October 20, 1925 in Ewen, Michigan to the late Emil and Maria Sironen. She graduated from Ewen High School in 1945, and then completed a business course at Suomi College in 1948. Senia married Carl Keski on June 13, 1953 in Ewen. During the first year of their marriage, Senia and Carl lived in Waukegan, Illinois where Senia worked in the personnel office at Abbott Laboratories. Missing the Northwoods, the couple moved back to Michigan's Upper Peninsula, settling in Carl's hometown of Wakefield. They welcomed two daughters and a son while in Wakefield. The family moved to South Beloit, Illinois in 1964, and then to Waukegan in 1965. Carl passed away unexpectedly while on a family vacation in Montana in June, 1967. Senia and Carl both had a gift of storytelling. Their lively senses of humor entertained friends and family. Their home was filled with love and laughter. Senia had the opportunity to sing with the Sacred Choir of the Lakes which performed on the Sunday Evening Club on Chicago T.V. Chanel 11. Although Senia had never driven and had been a stay-at-home mom, Carl's death forced her to learn to drive and then find full-time employment. She worked at North Shore Catering in Waukegan for many years, and later retired from American International Hospital in Zion after several years of service in the hospital's cafeteria. Senia is survived by her children, Cathy (Pat) Grams of Beach Park, Illinois, Karen Kohler of Waukegan, Illinois and Kevin (Mary Ann) Keski of Pleasant Prairie, Wisconsin; grandchildren, Carrie (Kevin) Pietschman of Kenosha, Wisconsin, Beth (E.J.) Tuscherer of Walworth, Wisconsin, Robert Kohler of Waukegan, Illinois, Matthew (Susanne) Grams of Norfolk, Virginia, Mark Grams of Wellington, New Zealand and Jennifer (John) Vrodsky of Chicago, Illinois; great-grandchildren, Bridget, Jolie, and Will Pietschman, Mathias and Bode Tuscherer, and Greyson Grams; and one brother, Reuben Sironen of Highlands Ranch, Colorado. Besides her parents and husband, Senia was preceded in death by brothers Elmer, Reino, Matt, Alex, and Eli; and sisters, Hilda, Saima, Ruth, Senja, and Gert. Visitation will be held on Wednesday, October 28, 2009, from 10:00 until 11:00 a.m. at St. Mark's Evangelical Lutheran Church, 3350 N. Delany Road, Waukegan, Illinois, with funeral services following at 11:00 a.m., Pastor Jeffrey Koth officiating. A graveside service will be held on Friday, October 30, 2009 at 11:00 a.m. at Lakeside Cemetery, Wakefield, Michigan.