Mary J. Keck, 63 of Sioux City, died Friday, March 11, 2022.

Memorial Services will be held 6 pm Wednesday, March 16, 2022 at Waterbury Funeral Service of Sioux City, 4125 Orleans Avenue. Private family burial will be held at a later date in Graceland Park Cemetery. Visitation 4-7 pm Wednesday at the funeral home.

Mary was born in Sioux City on November 5, 1958, the middle daughter of Don and Virginia (VanDenberg) Keck.  Mary graduated from East High School in 1977.  Following high school, Mary became a Licensed Practical Nurse.  She remained in Sioux City until her passing.

Like her older brother, Dale Keck, and younger sister, Sheryl Murphy, Mary was profoundly resilient.  Mary beat breast cancer and overcame a traumatic head injury following an accident in 2015.  As Mary would often joke, however, her resiliency was most useful when dealing with her oldest child, Jenny.

Mary was a gentle and kind soul.  She cared deeply about others and loved hard.  As a single mom, Mary successfully raised two children – Jenny and Jason.  Mary’s two kids, and to a far greater degree, her two grandchildren (Javonte and Madison) and beloved dog, Hershey, were her greatest joys.  Her “Grandma Loves You” text messages will be sorely missed.

Left to cherish Mary’s memory are her brother and sister, two children and daughter-in-law, Katie, two grandchildren, seven nieces and nephews: Josh, Ben, Anna, Sara (and daughter, Evelyn), Jacob, Kaley, and Alyssa; and countless friends.

Mary was preceded in death by her parents.  The family is comforted knowing that the Lord called Mary home to be with her mom and dad, who Mary so desperately missed.  There is, without a doubt, one heck of a backgammon game being played in Heaven.