Careen J. Keith

December 17, 1934 – August 19, 2026

Careen J. Keith, 91, of Monroe, Wisconsin, died on August 19, 2026. She was a resident of the Meadows Memory Care Unit at WinnPrairie in Freeport, Illinois. Careen was a woman of faith, a devoted wife, and a loving mother. She was interested, engaged, and organized in life, and enjoyed having fun with her many friends. She valued hard work, family, honesty, health, home, and good food.

Careen was born and raised on a dairy farm outside of Orland, California, where her family also grew almonds, olives, and oranges. She was the oldest daughter of Rhoda Marie (McIntyre) Forbes and Ernest “Shorty” Forbes, and loved spending time with her cousins and singing with her Gramps while her sister, Nina, played the piano. When she was eight, during the early years of World War II, she learned to drive the family tractor, and had to sit on a pile of phone books so that she could drive the truck carrying milk cans into town. At Orland Federated Church she participated in Youth Fellowship and attended Methodist summer camp. She was always a leader in school, played the trumpet in band, and loved to sing. Careen graduated with honors from Orland High School in 1952 and studied nursing at the Samuel Merritt Hospital School of Nursing in Oakland, California.

Careen met Bob Keith at a 1953 Christmas Eve church service when he was serving in the Air Force as a Meat, Dairy, and Cheese Inspector in California. They were married on November 13,1954 at the Orland Federated Church. After their marriage, they moved to Ames, Iowa where he received a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from Iowa State University in 1959.

Careen and Bob lived in Monroe for 42 years, retired to Sun City West, Arizona for 16 years, and then moved back to Monroe to be closer to family. Careen was baptized and confirmed at the Orland Federated Church, and was a member of the United Methodist Church (Monroe, WI) and Shepherd of the Hills Methodist Church (Sun City West, AZ). She was an active member of the Alpine Curling Club, Monroe Country Club, Dance Club, Couples’ Bridge Club, and Women’s Club (Sun City West, AZ). She served the Girl Scouts as a Troop Leader, Town Cookie Chair, and on various committees of the Badger Council. She was a past President of the Badger Women’s Curling Association. Careen and Bob both served as umpires for the Silver Broom (1989 World Curling Championship) in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. They loved to travel to visit family, to play golf, and to curl.

Careen Keith is survived by her sister, Nina Bates (Willows, CA); four children: Aileen (Tom) Reichert (Columbia, MD), David “Thai” Keith (Baraboo, WI), Linda (Karen McArthur) Keith (South Dartmouth, MA), and Brian (Betsy) Keith (Monroe, WI); eight grandchildren: Carrie (Daniel) Kosta, Sarah Reichert, Andrew Keith McArthur, Abigail McArthur Keith, Spencer (Natalie) Keith, Grant (Keelin) Keith, Mitch Keith, and Grace Keith; and three great-grandchildren: Beatrix, Lucian, and Esme Kosta. She was preceded in death by her husband, Dr. Robert H. Keith; parents, Ernest and Rhoda Marie Forbes; siblings, Marvin Forbes and Carol Vivion; and grandson, Joshua Reichert.

Inurnment will be held at Greenwood Cemetery in Monroe on Saturday, September 5, 2026 at 10:00 am, with Pastor Randy Booth officiating. A Celebration of Life Gathering for both Careen and Bob will follow at Monroe Golf Club, 2205 21st. Street, from 11:30 am to 3:00 pm, including a Time of Sharing at 1:00 pm. Memorial donations may be made to Meadows Memory Care at WinnPrairie (1545 S. Forest Road, Freeport, IL 61032). Condolences may be shared at www.newcomerfuneralhome.net