Alice B. O’Keefe, age 95, of Prior Lake, MN, entered eternal peace on Saturday, January 20, 2024, at Shakopee Friendship Manor Health Care Center.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held honoring Alice on Friday, January 26, 2024, at 11 am, with a time of gathering from 9:30 -10:45 am, at St. Michael Catholic Church, 16400 Duluth Avenue SE, Prior Lake. Father Tom Walker will preside. She will be laid to rest at St. Michael Catholic Cemetery.
The greatest gift in Alice’s life always centered around family! Born on the Fourth of July in 1928, she was welcomed into the arms of Alfred and Hildegard (Busch) Von Bank. Born and raised on the family farm in rural Jordan, Mary Alice Bertha was the fourth of eight children: Leonette, Valeria, Lorraine, Alice, Andrina, Alan, Darlene, and Jeron.
Family took on a deeper meaning becoming a wife, mother, grandma, and great grandma. While working at the local grocery store in Prior Lake, a patron named Eugene “Gene” O’Keefe took an interest in Alice. Their love story began and on April 19, 1949, at St. Joseph Catholic Church in rural Jordan, Alice and Gene were united in Holy Matrimony. They were blessed with their first child, James Patrick on May 4, 1950, and with saddened hearts felt his loss on November 19, 1950. Faith kept Alice strong and in the coming years, she and Gene welcomed Patrick, Mary, and Colleen. Life for Alice was enriched again, becoming a grandma of four. As they grew, she was so proud of who they became, could be trusted with their deepest secrets, and loved being active in their lives. Her family was fulfilled, becoming a great grandma of three.
It didn’t matter where Alice and Gene settled their roots, in Minneapolis, Richfield, California, Bloomington, Shakopee or Prior Lake, her home was always filled with family. Alice loved Christmas and all the activities surrounding the holiday. She and Gene enjoyed traveling and golfing. Alice extended her love to also include all the family’s dogs. But Alice was most content being home gathered with family and friends.
Alice remained busy throughout her life. While her children grew up, Alice worked at the Heidelberg Dining Lounge in Bloomington as a waitress, where she often served Minnesota Twins players. In 1965, Alice and Gene opened O’Keefe’s Laundry and Dry Cleaning in Shakopee and operated the establishment for 10 ½ years. Upon selling the business, Alice began working for Rosemount Aero Space, until she retired in 1993.
Alice was a strong spirited and faithful woman. She was filled with so much life, fun and enthusiasm. Alice taught her children to be strong independent individuals, to remain faithful servants of God and to have a deep compassion for others. In her later years, Alice discovered the craft of gardening and computers. Even at the age of 95, she had amazing computer skills. Alice was a classy lady and forever dressed to the nines. She deeply cared for others and their wellbeing. Even in her final hours, Alice remained faith filled praying the rosary and saying her prayers.
Continuing Alice’s legacy, she will be forever loved by her children, Patrick (Cheryl) O’Keefe, Mary Riffe, Colleen (Russ Schaffenberg) O’Keefe; grandchildren, Ryan O’Keefe, Adam Riffe, Ellie Riffe, Jen Anderson; great grandchildren, Luka Riffe-Boyer, Margo and Mia and their father Sean Anderson; brother, Jeron (Sandee) Von Bank; sister-in-law; Mary Ann Von Bank; brother-in-law, Dan “Donny” Hennes
Greeting Alice home in Heaven is her husband, Gene; son, Jimmy O’Keefe; son-in-law, Tim Riffe; parents, Alfred and Hildegard Von Bank; siblings, Leonette (Wayne) Sutton, Valeria (Elmer) Geis, Lorraine Belcher, Andrina (John) O’Keefe, Alan Von Bank, and Darlene Hennes.
