Sep. 18, 1924 - Aug. 27, 2015
Emily Louise Hanzal Keating was born on September 18, 1924 in Omaha, Nebraska to her parents Frank A. Hanzal and Ann Kapalin Hanzal. She passed away peacefully in her sleep on August 27, 2015. In 1946, she earned her teaching degree at the Nebraska State Teacher’s College located in Kearney, Nebraska. Emily’s first teaching position was in Igloo, South Dakota at the Black Hills Ordinance Depot where she met her husband of 32 years, Dennis J. Keating. Being a lifelong learner/educator, Emily furthered her education by completing courses offered by UNR, Chico State, Kent State, and a University in Hungary. Dennis and Emily were married on August 17, 1947 and they resided in Kearney, NE while Dennis worked on his degree in business. She enjoyed saying that she earned a PHT (Putting Hubby Through) by teaching home economics and physical education at Kearney High School. Upon graduation, Dennis accepted a position with Nebraska Dairy Products which took them to Holdredge, NE where she began rearing their five children. In 1959, Dennis became sales manager for James Canyon Ranch Creamery (later to become Meadow Gold Dairy) and the family moved to Nevada. After living on the ranch near Genoa for six months, they moved to Carson City. Emily resumed her career in 1964 and she taught at St. Teresa’s Catholic School, Corbett Elementary, Fremont Elementary, and Carson Jr. High School. One of her many teaching responsibilities over the years was to coordinate the county spelling bee. She took pride in the students and one reached the National Spelling Bee Finals in Washington D.C. Emily was also a long time member of the Delta Kappa Gamma teaching society. In addition to spending time with the family she loved so much, she enjoyed traveling. Some of her destinations included Prague (visiting relatives), Eastern Europe, a river cruise from St. Petersburg to Moscow, and an Opera Tour of Europe. Emily was preceded in death by her husband, Dennis in 1980, her parents, and her older brother, Joe Hanzal. She is survived by her son Dan Keating (Usanee), son Tom Keating (Martha), daughter Kixie Pugh (Leonard), son Pat Keating (Maryann), son Bill Keating (Mary), 11 grandchildren, and 5 great grandchildren. A funeral mass will be held at her parish, St. Teresa of Avila Catholic Church in Carson City on Saturday, September 5th at 10 am. Following the service, a reception will be held at a location to be announced. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to St. Teresa’s Catholic School in Carson City, the Food Bank of Northern Nevada, or a charity of your choice. Emily’s family would like to thank the staff at Life Care Center of Reno for the attentive and personal care they provided her. To sign the online guestbook go to www.waltonsfuneralhomes.com
