PHILIPINA KEEN (nee Beler)

Philipina Keen passed away peacefully on Saturday, November 16th, 2013 at the age of 96 years.  Philipina was born in the Mankota (Billimun) District on June 17th, 1917 to Michael and Gertrude Beler.  Gertrude passed away when Philipina was three years old.  Michael later married Margaret Silbernagel.  Philipina worked on the family farm and for family members for a number of years.  She married Felix Keen on October 28th, 1941.  They moved south of Mankota for a couple of years, then moved to the Reliance District for a year.  They were then able to purchase land and moved to the Barr School District and lived there until all the children were grown up.  In 1977, Felix passed away and Philipina moved into a house in Mankota and lived there until 1982, when she sold the house and moved into an apartment in Mankota.  She thoroughly enjoyed coffee, game shows and cards with her neighbors and friends.  She lived in Mankota until 2000 when she moved to an apartment in Moose Jaw.  She stayed in her apartment until 2007 when Providence Place became her new home.  Her life was her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren.  She was predeceased by her husband, Felix; daughters-in-law, Sheila, Elsie, Bette, Karen and Sherry; and numerous brothers and sisters.  Philipina is survived by her children: Edward of Moose Jaw, Katherine (Lou) Karpick of Lethbridge, AB, Joseph of Claresholm, AB and Michael (Linda) of Moose Jaw; 11 grandchildren, 14 great-grandchildren, 1 great-great-grandchild; half-brother, Roy Beler and half-sister, Catherine Walker.  The Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Saturday, November 23rd, 2013 at 11:00 a.m. in St. Joseph’s Roman Catholic Church, 1064 3rd Ave. N.W., Moose Jaw, SK.  Father Rick Krofchek will be the presiding celebrant and interment will take place at a later date in Billimun Cemetery, Mankota, SK.  A Prayer Service will be held on Friday, November 22nd, 2013 at 7:00 p.m. in Moose Jaw Funeral Home.  As an expression of sympathy, donations in Philipina’s name may be made to Alzheimer Assoc. of Saskatchewan Inc., 301-2550 – 12th Ave., Regina, SK S4P 3X1 or Providence Place Foundation Inc., 100 – 2nd Ave. N.E., Moose Jaw, SK S6H 1B8.  Arrangements are entrusted to Moose Jaw Funeral Home, 268 Mulberry Lane.  Calvin Gammel, Funeral Director 306-693-4550.