Sonny Keen, 81, of Olney Springs, Colorado passed away August 9, 2011 at his home surrounded by his family. He was born on January 27, 1930, in Phillipsburg, Kan. to Florence (Sparks) and James Emmett Keen. Sonny married Carol Nusbaum on September 30, 1951. Their five children are Donna Keen (Bill Masten) of Lake George, Colo.; Doe Keen (Bob Gilkerson) of Rogersville, Mo.; Jan Rosekrans (Dennis) of Pillager, Minn.; Troi Ellis (Stan) of Red Cloud, Neb.; Jim Keen (Roxie) of Fowler. Sonny was a rancher, dairy farmer, horse breeder and trainer. He and his family lived in Colorado, Nebraska, Wyoming and Minnesota. In his younger years he was a rodeo cowboy and in 1950 was the all around amateur cowboy for the state of Kansas. He was well known and loved by many. He is survived by his wife Carol, five children, and 14 grandchildren. Jim (Sarah) Gilkerson, Luke and Tyler Rosekrans, Timbrel (Erik) Berg, Titus(Heidi) Ellis, Jonathan, David, Isaac, Timothy, Josiah, and Esther Ellis, Britany and Cassie Keen, one great granddaughter, LizBeth Ellis; four brothers: Bub (Charlotte) Keen, Corky (Maggie) Keen, Don (Sandy) Keen, and John Keen; two sisters: Beuie (Roy) Goodrow and Norma (Tom) Johnston; one brother-in-law, Bud Crouse; several nieces and nephews, and a host of friends. He was preceded in death by his parents: Emmett and Florence Keen; one sister, Lorene Crouse; and a grandson, Austin Keen. Memorial services were held August 12, 2011 at River of Life Fellowship in Ordway, CO. He was laid to rest at the Olney Springs Cemetery. The family suggests that memorial contributions be made to one of the following: River of Life Fellowship, 411 East 9th Street Ordway, CO 81063 or Arkansas Valley Hospice, 118 West 4th Street, PO Box 408, La Junta, CO 81050 or Sangre de Cristo Hospice, 1207 Pueblo Blvd. Way, Pueblo, CO 81005.
∼Pueblo Chieftain Wednesday August 10 2011 Vital Stats--Deaths