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Shirley Keniston
August 01, 1926 - May 16, 2020

Shirley Keniston, 93, of Oelwein passed away Saturday May 16, 2020.  A private family service will be held at the Geilenfeld-Buehner Funeral Home in Oelwein. Interment will be in Woodlawn Cemetery at Oelwein.  Memorials may be directed to Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Oelwein. 

Shirley Eileen Keniston was born August 1, 1926 to parents John and Florence (Westermeyer) Lindstrom.  She graduated from Oelwein High School.  Shirley had worked a few years at the Oelwein Daily Register and then was a homemaker to her family.  On June 20, 1948 she was united in marriage with W.L. “Swede” Keniston until he passed away in 1982.  She later was united in marriage with Wing Wachtel and he passed away in 1997.  Shirley was a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Oelwein where she volunteered and the Catholic Daughters of America.

Shirley and her husband Swede were co-owners of the Keniston Packing Plant in Oelwein.  She was an avid Iowa Hawkeye fan.  She and Swede went to all the football games when Hayden Frye was coaching.  They also attended many other sporting events, making many new friends and acquaintances.  In later years, whenever visiting with her, if you mentioned the Hawks were on TV she would inquire “What time and station”.  Shirley loved her flower gardens and receiving bouquets on special days.  Family was very important to her.  She loved all the 26 years of wintering in Naples, FL, especially the nice beaches.

Shirley is survived by her children: Julie Keniston Wittock of Naples, FL and Ken (Elly) Keniston of Scottsdale, AZ; her grandchildren: Michael Wittock, Matthew Wittock, Kyle Keniston, Tyler Keniston, Jami (Tom) Gordon and Jayson Keniston; her great-grandchildren: Joey and Tate Gordon; her special niece Wilda Ingamells;  several nieces, nephews and God-Children.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband W.L. “Swede” Keniston (1982); her second husband Wing Wachtel (1997); her son Jim Keniston (1996); her grandson Wade Keniston (2017); and her brother John “Jack” Lindstrom.

 

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JUNE R. EMRICH on July 5, 2020 at 8:28 PM said:

I am so sad to hear about my cousin Shirley. I tried reaching out over a year ago to Julie, but never heard back. I would always call her once a year and as soon as she would hear my voice, she knew it was me. I have missed hearing her voice. I spent a lot of years in Oelwein with Shirley. Shirley was the one that showed me how to swim. That is a long story, one that I will never forget.

Miss you
Toni Pirillo on May 28, 2020 at 7:00 PM said:

You have my deepest sympathy, always enjoyed Swede and Shirley when my dad was visiting them.
Shari (Ziegler) Weeden on May 27, 2020 at 12:34 PM said:

To the Keniston family,
My deepest sympathy on the passing of Shirley. When I was a child our families would have dinner together. I was always excited when Shirley would bring her delicious home made brownies. Because I enjoyed them so much, Shirley gave me her brownie recipe. I still have and use that recipe today. I call them Shirley Keniston brownies. Hold your memories close to your hearts and celebrate her life.
Carol Tousley on May 23, 2020 at 9:56 AM said:

My sympathies to Ken, Julie and your family. Your mother was a sweet lady. Loved her smiles. May she rest in Peace.
MARSHA (ZIEGLER) SHEPHERD on May 21, 2020 at 11:30 AM said:

JULIE,KEN AND FAMILY,
Sending our condolences and love . Many happy memories shared with your Mom and your family.
Susie on May 20, 2020 at 12:50 PM said:

My very deepest sympathy to you all. Shirley was one of a kind, but mostly so kind and caring. We used to have some really great laughs.
Jane Lillibridge on May 20, 2020 at 9:52 AM said:

Sincere condolences to the family. Swede and Shirley were instrumental in bringing the Hawkeye Basketball team to Oelwein for an exhibition game back in the days of Steve Carfino, Michael Payne, Bobby Hansen and Michael Stokes. Afterward they all came to the Sportsmen for dinner. They were always so much fun and so kind. On more than one occasion, they presented me with tickets for Hawkeye basketball. Great memories.
Jane Lillibridge on May 20, 2020 at 9:52 AM said:

Sincere condolences to the family. Swede and Shirley were instrumental in bringing the Hawkeye Basketball team to Oelwein for an exhibition game back in the days of Steve Carfino, Michael Payne, Bobby Hansen and Michael Stokes. Afterward they all came to the Sportsmen for dinner. They were always so much fun and so kind. On more than one occasion, they presented me with tickets for Hawkeye basketball. Great memories.
Tina Schnurr on May 19, 2020 at 5:39 PM said:

Thank you, Shirley, for being such a loving and attentive Godmother! So many fun memories with the Keniston family that I will never forget. My sympathies to Julie, Ken and families.
Michelle Stasi Moran on May 19, 2020 at 4:02 PM said:

Thinking of you. Our family loved Shirley and Swede. Cherish the wonderful memories.
Yvonne Minton on May 19, 2020 at 2:03 PM said:

So sorry to hear about Shirley! My parents loved her & Swede! Such a nice lady! We will keep the family in our thoughts & prayers!
Denny & Marcia Pepin on May 19, 2020 at 12:33 PM said:

So sorry to hear of Shirleys passing. Please accept our sincere condolences.
Lyle & Nancy Miller on May 19, 2020 at 6:59 AM said:

Sincere condolences-pretty neat lady! - &loved those Hawkeye's. May the Lord be with her.
Dawn Burco Givant on May 19, 2020 at 4:32 AM said:

Kenny, Julie and all of your family,
I'm so sorry about your mom. She leaves behind so many memories it's hard for me to choose just one. The shopping trips were the most memorable for me. They were always a lot of fun with nearly non-stop laughter over one thing or another. It was a miracle we ever made it home in one piece!!! Much love to both of you. You are all in my family's thoughts and prayers. God Bless!

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