Mary L Heistand-Bro

Mary was born on December 27, 1957 to Arnold & Lorene (Swain) Heistand of Woodbine, Iowa and graduated from Dana College in 1980 with a degree in business. In the working world Mary possessed the skills and traits of an entrepreneur. She was optimistic, passionate, and driven. She understood that ideas were meaningless until they are acted on and she wasn’t afraid to take chances. Mary’s entrepreneurial spirit guided her in opening two successful businesses, CI Direct in 1994 and Retirement Insurance Specialists in 2010.

Outside of work, Mary’s passions were her family and her music. Mary loved the holidays and the traditions that came with them. Snow globes were her favorite holiday item and the music of James Taylor was always present in her home. She was a member of her church praise band, performed in the Sound of Music, with Opera Omaha, and helped develop the Music Therapy program at the University of Nebraska Medical Center.

She is survived by her husband, Brian Keep; her children, Justin Bro and Rebecca Bro whom she shared with former spouse, Bruce Bro; Justin’s wife Julie Bro; her stepchildren, Austin Keep, Alex Keep, Jamie Keep, and Patrick Keep; her granddaughter, Bailey Bro; her mother Lorene Heistand; her brother Mark Heistand & his wife Donnell Heistand; and many other aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, and nephews.

Family and friends whose lives Mary touched are invited to the Valley of the Sun Mortuary & Cemetery, 10940 E Chandler Heights Rd, Chandler, at 1pm on Sunday December 2, 2018, to remember and celebrate her life and support one another in our sorrow.

In lieu of flowers, the family is asking that donations be made in Mary’s name to TGen Foundation in support of brain cancer research. Visit www.tgen.org/giving or mail a gift to TGen Foundation, 445 N 5th St, Suite 120, Phoenix, AZ 85004.