Keo Konnie Holmes' Obituary
Keo was born to Jay & Mildred (Sallman) Gibbs on March 26, 1935 in Corydon, Iowa. She received her education from Cambria Schools, graduating in 1953. Keo and her siblings were very hard workers and milked cows and kept their family farm going even after their mother's early death.
Keo enjoyed all sports and never missed any of her kids' school activities, Football, Basketball, Baseball, Softball, Band concerts and cheerleading. She enjoyed her Hawkeye Football and Basketball games as well.
On January 22, 1955, Keo was united in marriage to Lloyd Lee Holmes in Chariton, Iowa.
While Lee was in the service, Keo worked at Neely Manufacturing and after Lee returned from the Korean Conflict, they started farming south and east of Humeston. Keo was involved in the farming operation and worked side by side with Lee for 42 years. She drove tractors, hauled grain, did chores, kept a spotless house, and her yard was mowed to perfection. She loved working outdoors. In the early 80's they started laying field tile and still farmed. In 1996 they sold their half of the field tiling business to David and Julie and sold their farm home and moved to Chariton in 2007. They built a barn on Newton Road on the North side of Corydon and hung out there and chatted with anyone who stopped by to see them.
Lee and Keo traveled to Arizona for 9 winters. Several dear friends of theirs also went, and they had so much fun. Lee passed away in 2014 at 80 years old. They celebrated 59 years of marriage before his death. Keo moved to "Elgin House" in Corydon in 2015 and then to "Murphy Place Assisted Living". She loved it at Murphy Place and always appreciated the workers there. In 2023 she moved to The Cottage Grove Place in Cedar Rapids and was closer to her daughter and a few grandkids.
Survivors include; children, Kenny (Sandy) Holmes of Corydon, Iowa; Mike Holmes of Des Moines, Iowa; Julie (David) Foster of Walford, Iowa, seven grandchildren: Chelsey (Ryan) Markle of Iowa City, Iowa; Samantha (Steve) Lexa of North Liberty, Iowa; Lance (Debora) Holmes of Delray Beach, Florida; Matti Holmes and Charlie Gambrel of Omaha, Nebraska; Abbi (Trae) Gilliland of West Des Moines, Iowa; Delanie (Dustin) Peet of Cedar Rapids, Iowa; Taylor (Mady) Foster of North Liberty, Iowa, 10 great grandchildren: James (Alice) Lexa, Isaac (Frederick) Markle, Liam (Melina) Holmes, Bennett Gilliland, Tatum, Antin, and Gibson Peet, brother, Keith Gibbs of Astoria, New York, sister-in-law, Juanita Holmes of Slater, Iowa, several nieces and nephews and great nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, baby brother, Kenneth Jay, and sisters, Karolyn Hatch, Kathleen Spees, Karmen Diehl, and Karen Cochran
Funeral service will be Friday, 1:00 PM, December 8, 2023 at Thomas Funeral Home in Corydon. Interment will immediately follow at Cambria Cemetery. Visitation will be 2 hours prior to the service on Friday from 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM. Memorials may be given to Cambria Cemetery and condolences may be shared at www.thomasfh.com or facebook.com/thomasfuneralhome.
Keos' service can be live-streamed at https://my.gather.app/remember/keo-holmes
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