Pleasant Grove High School

Dorthy Naomi Steele (Keetch) - 1/10/2012

Class of 1942

Our beloved Mother and Grandmother, Naomi Steele Keetch of Pleasant Grove, passed away peacefully surrounded by her family and friends on January 10, 2012. She was born on April 23, 1924, in Bingham Canyon to Harry and Dorothy Steele. She had two older brothers, Stan and Val, and one older sister, Millie. She is the last survivor of her immediate family.

In 1926 her father was hired to assist with the making of a silent movie, "All Faces West", depicting the Mormon pioneers entering the Salt Lake Valley. The entire family, including Naomi as a two-year old, was used as extras in the film.

In 1927, due to health problems she and her mother were having in the smoky, dirty, narrow Bingham Canyon, the family moved to American Fork. They purchased a home on Main Street and a farm near Utah Lake. Then In 1934, during the depression, the farm was sold and her father purchased a cattle ranch in Lago, Idaho. The entire family moved to Idaho, taking their horses, cows, sheep, dogs, a cat, grandparents, and kids. However, the winters in Idaho proved to be too cold for Naomi, so she soon returned to Utah where she lived with her Grandmother Amelia Thompson in Pleasant Grove. Here she finished her high school years.

When she was a Junior in High School she was told about a cute guy from Lehi by the name of Fred Keetch. One evening, when roller skating in Lehi, she saw Fred. He was skating with a female companion. As they came past, Naomi grabbed his suspenders and flipped them. The couple fell to the floor. However, due to this "meeting", they soon started dating.

After her High School graduation in 1942, Naomi attended Utah State College in Logan with a scholarship. Returning home the following summer, on July 1, 1943, Naomi and Fred were married at the ranch in Idaho, on his birthday! Upon returning to Utah, Naomi obtained employment at the Geneva Steel Plant in the accounting department. Three years later, after the war was over, their first son Fred was born. In 1955 a second son, Keith was born, and in 1962 the third and last son, Scott was born.

Fred and Naomi loved living in Pleasant Grove. In their 64 years of marriage they only moved one block away from their original home. Naomi enjoyed serving in the Relief Society and for 16 years in the mutual with the youth, alongside her constant companion, Fred. After retirement Fred and Naomi enjoyed traveling. They visited Alaska, Hawaii, Panama, the Caribbean, and many states. They traveled extensively with their friends in the Good Sam Club, known as the "Happy Hobos". They were avid fans of the BYU, for better or worse.

Naomi regularly attended her bridge clubs and loved her many friends. She especially enjoyed being a charter member of the Pleasant Grove Auxiliary Fire Department for 40 years. A highlight each year was the annual Fireman's Breakfast. It became one of the biggest social events in Pleasant Grove. One year they served 2036 people! The proceeds each year went to the burn center or other civic projects.

In September of 2007, after 64 wonderful, exciting years of marriage, her eternal companion, Fred, passed away. Naomi continued on with her life, however, her health also began to deteriorate. She, like Fred prior to his death, received assistance, love, and caring by a very special group of ladies.

Funeral services will be held Saturday, January 14, 2012, at 11:00 a.m. in the Timpanogos Stake Center, 800 North 100 West, Pleasant Grove. Friends may call Friday evening from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the Olpin Family Mortuary, 494 South 300 East, Pleasant Grove and from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 am on Saturday at the Timpanogos Stake Center. Interment will be in the Pleasant Grove City Cemetery.

Naomi is survived by 3 sons: Fred (ReNae) of Alpine, Keith (Shelley) of Lago, Idaho, and Scott (Sonya) of American Fork; 8 Grandchildren, 17 Great-Grandchildren, and 1 Great-Great Grandchild She was preceded in death by her husband, Fred, and a Great-Granddaughter,
Remmi Diane Larsen.

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