Marinan Keeling, 78, of Fredericksburg, Texas, died on April 19, 2025, at MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, Texas. She was born on July 15, 1946, in Longmont, Colo., to LaMar and Nancy Henry.
She graduated from Brighton High School in 1964 and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Textiles and Clothing in 1969 from Colorado State University in Fort Collins. She was a member of the Kappa Alpha Theta sorority.
Marinan worked as a market analyst at Cattlefax, which is how she met her husband, Don Keeling. She married Don on Aug. 4, 1977, in Brooksville, Miss. For 15 years, she was Don’s number one hand at their cattle pre-conditioning facility. Marinan was a calming influence, adviser, supporter, and best friend throughout their 47 years of marriage.
Marinan had the privilege of being a stay-at-home mom and executive volunteer. She enjoyed yard work, especially cactus gardening, and she never met a cactus she couldn’t tame. She also loved cooking for guests, writing letters to family and friends, hiking in God’s creation, and spending time with her grandchildren. She shared her love for horses by giving free lessons to numerous children over the years.
Marinan loved 4-H and devoted much time into raising lambs and helping youth learn how to show them. She cherished the Biblical references that God is our Shepherd and we are his sheep.
Marinan volunteered in countless roles throughout the years. She facilitated grief share groups, provided Biblical counseling, taught Vacation Bible School, hosted marriage studies, and served with Bible Study Fellowship for over 25 years. Marinan had an incredible passion for Jesus and for children to know him. Her service will go on to impact generations into eternity.
Marinan fought cancer as tenaciously as she fought the weeds in her beloved cactus garden. She was true to her faith until her last breath. She took each setback as a new challenge; never complaining, never asking, “why me?” Just “OK - when do we start?”
She focused on her blessings by documenting them every day since she received her diagnosis.
Marinan was preceded in death by her parents LaMar and Nancy Henry and her sister Nadine Henry.
Marinan is survived by her husband, Don Keeling, children, Becky Meyring, Coy and wife Leslie Meyring, and Ty and wife Sarah Keeling, grandchildren, Myles Meyring, Mattie Meyring, Jack Meyring, Mack Keeling, and Nick Keeling.
She is also survived by her brothers, Robert and wife Linda Henry, Charles and wife Nancy Henry, John Henry and wife JoAnn Herkenhoff; sisters, Nancy and husband Jerry Meyring, and Margaret and husband John Gubber; brother-in-law, Keith and wife Lynda Keeling; and sister-in-law, Dianne and husband Milton Briery.
A Celebration of Life is scheduled for Saturday, May 17, 2025, at 2 p.m. at Hill Country Church, located at 107 E. Lower Crabapple Rd., Fredericksburg, Texas.
If you are unable to attend the services for Marinan Keeling, Hill Country Church will be livestreaming her services at https://youtube.com/live/l3vMSsIN6AM.
In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made in her memory to:
Bible Study Fellowship - PO Box 675241, Dallas, Texas 75267-5241
or
Hill Country Church - 107 E. Lower Crabapple Road, Fredericksburg, Texas, 78624
or
MD Anderson Cancer Center Chaplain Services - P.O. Box 4486, Houston, Texas 77210
