Fern Elizabeth Platz Keck

Fern Elizabeth (Platz) Keck, 95, of Fruitland, passed away Tuesday January 9, 2018 at her home at Spring Creek Assisted Living Center in Fruitland. A viewing will be held from 5-7 pm, Monday, January 15th at Corpus Christi Catholic Church, Fruitland. Rosary will start at 7 pm. Mass of a Christian Burial will be held at 10 am, Tuesday, January 16th at Corpus Christi Catholic Church, Fruitland with Fr. Camilo Garcia as celebrant. Interment will follow at Park View Cemetery, New Plymouth. Services are under the direction of Shaffer-Jensen Memory Chapel, Fruitland. Condolences may be made to Fern’s family at www.shaffer-jensenchapel.com.

Fern was born November 8, 1922 to John and Nora (Franklin) Platz in New Plymouth, Idaho. She attended and graduated as Salutatorian from Fruitland High School in 1940. She then went on to attend Lewiston Normal School, receiving her teacher’s certificate. She taught in Weiser, Idaho for a short period of time before moving to Boise, working for Boise Winnemucca Stages and then with Paul B. Larsen Real Estate. She met her future husband, Newton “Newt” Keck and they were subsequently married on April 16, 1950 at St. Aloysius Catholic Church in New Plymouth, Idaho.

Fern and Newt moved to Portland, Oregon where their daughter, Suzanne and two sons, David and Timothy were born. In 1955, they moved back to Idaho living in Payette, and then in Fruitland for the remainder of their lives. In addition to raising her family, Fern worked for Dr. Rodney Heater, Optometrist, and Dr. Richard Woodward Jr., General Physician until her retirement.

Fern was devoutly Catholic and was very active in the affairs of the Corpus Christi Catholic Church. She also enjoyed social dancing in her early years and then square and round dancing during her retirement years. Fern and Newt enjoyed several outside activities including spending time in McCall, camping, and snowmobiling. During their retirement years they traveled extensively throughout the U.S. on a Goldwing Motorcycle, and also visited Europe on two occasions.

Fern was preceded in death by her parents, John and Nora Platz; her brother, Russell Platz; and her husband, Newton Keck.

She is survived by her three children, Suzanne Van Lith (Chuck), David Keck (Sherie), and Timothy Keck; grandchildren, Ryan Keck (Rae), Shayne Keck, and Katie Pelazini (Rico); and a great grandchild, Chance.

Memorials may be made to the Corpus Christi Catholic Church Building Fund, 900 NW 7th Street, Fruitland, Idaho 83619 or Heart ‘n Home Hospice, 1107 NW 11th Street, Fruitland, Idaho 83619.