Harvey Keeney Obituary (1941 - 2019)

Harvey Loren Keeney, 78, Mandan, passed away Tuesday, August 6, 2019, at Sanford of Bismarck. A Memorial Service will be held at 1:00 PM Wednesday, August 14, 2019, at St. Joseph Catholic Church with Deacon Randy Frohlich officiating. Gathering of family and friends is scheduled for 5:00 - 7:00 PM with a Rosary/Vigil Service beginning at 7:00 PM, Tuesday, August 13, 2019, at DaWise-Perry Funeral Services, Mandan. Visitation continues one hour prior to the service at the church. Burial will be at a later date as cremation has taken place. Harvey was born June 12, 1941, at Blackduck, MN, to Samuel and Ida (Cain) Keeney. He was raised and educated in Van Hook and New Town, ND. He graduated from New Town High School and Minot State College. He married Gayle Viall, August 5, 1967. Harvey worked as an English teacher and football coach for most of his career. He was named ND Class B football coach of the year in 1971 and Arizona Football Coach of the Year in 1972, when he was in Miami, AZ. After leaving teaching, he worked as a correctional officer at the North Dakota State Penitentiary. Harvey sang with the Bismarck Elk's Chorus for about 40 years. He also enjoyed fishing, hunting, and his dogs. He is survived by his wife, Gayle; son Bret Keeney, Lincoln; daughter, Kezia (Marty) Zander, Mandan; sister, Margaret (Dave) Molin, Billings, MT; three sisters-in-law, JoAnne (Gary) Sorlien, Lorraine (Stan) Brautman and Joyce Viall; four grandchildren, Brandy, Olivia, Preston and Parker; one great-grandchild, Gunnar; many nieces and nephews. Harvey was preceded in death by his parents; his mother and father-in-law, Beatrice and Walter Viall; brother-in-law, Wayne Viall; and niece, Jae Molin. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be sent to Miles of Love Dog Rescue or the American Heart Association.