Burial will take place at the VA National Cemetery in Dallas, Texas on April 13 at 11:00 AM. A memorial service will be held to celebrate her life at Living Word Lutheran Church in Grapevine at a later date.
Gwen was born in Ceylon, Minnesota on July 22, 1921 to George Franck and Elizabeth Schmidt Franck. She graduated from Ceylon High School before enlisting in the US Navy in 1944. She served as a Hospital Apprentice, First Class at Naval Hospitals in Long Island, New York and Great Lakes, Illinois, earning the American Campaign ribbon and the Victory ribbon.
She was preceded in death by R.P. Nichols, her first husband of 31 years, by Victor Verland Keyes, her second husband of 14 years, and her daughter, Penny Nichols Hunter.
Gwen is survived by her sons and daughters-in-law George Nichols (Lindelle) and Dr. Steve Nichols (Mary) and step-children Marilyn Keyes Bowman (Dr. Ed Bowman), Vic Keyes Jr. (Jan), Harry Keyes (Karen), and Mark Keyes (Carolyn), her sister, Beryl Stovall , 5 grandchildren, and 8 step-grandchildren.
Gwen was a faithful member of Living Word Lutheran Church for over 20 years where she thoroughly enjoyed celebrating her 98th birthday with cake, balloons, and the well-wishes of the entire congregation. She belonged to the Senior Centers of Grapevine and Southlake and was active in the Greater Grapevine Newcomers Club. Gwen had a passion for playing wickedly good bridge, followed the Stock Market avidly, and loved celebrating birthdays with lunch out. She and her second husband travelled extensively, taking a 3 week road trip to Alaska and touring England, Scotland, and Wales.
Gwen showed God’s grace in all she did - a wonderful neighbor and friend to everyone who ever entered her life. Memorials may be sent “in memory of Gwen Keyes” to Living Word Lutheran Church , 2031 W. Northwest Highway, Grapevine.
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