Cover photo for Rae "Fran" Francella Keaveny's Obituary
Rae "Fran" Francella Keaveny Profile Photo
1943 Rae "Fran" 2023

Rae "Fran" Francella Keaveny

July 5, 1943 — May 22, 2023

Pelican Rapids, MN (Formerly, of Tintah, MN)

Rae "Fran" Francella Keaveny, age 79, of Pelican Rapids, MN (formerly, of Tintah, MN), passed away peacefully while surrounded by her loving family on Monday, May 22, 2023, at Sanford Hospice House in Fargo, ND. The visitation will be held at 9:00 a.m., Saturday, May 27, 2023, followed by the funeral mass at 10:30 a.m., at St. John's Catholic Church in Wahpeton, ND. Father Mike Kellogg, Father Stan Wieser, Father Dale Lagodinski will be con-celebrants at the service. Burial will be held in St. Gall's Catholic Cemetery in Tintah, MN. Arrangements have been entrusted to Joseph Vertin and Sons Funeral Home, Breckenridge, MN.


Rae Francella Keaveny, affectionately known as “Fran,” was born in Breckenridge, MN, on July 5, 1943, to Raymond and Carmella (Schend) Keaveny. Fran's career path began early when she began working at a nursing home in Breckenridge while still in high school. Following graduation in 1961, she pursued her dreams and moved to the West coast where she worked for a year before returning back home to pursue a career with Northern Pump in Fridley, MN. She dedicated herself there to working as a certified contracted civilian with the United States Navy before earning the title of an integrated logistics engineer and helped build numerous weapons for ships to protect our nation. Fran then went on to build a successful career that spanned over three decades with Northern Pump/FMC before retiring in August of 1999, and then transferred to ICS in Kentucky. Fran returned home to Tintah after permanently retiring in March of 2013.


Fran was also known for her passion for local government and served as mayor of Tintah, MN, breathing fresh life into the community with her enthusiasm and countless Kentucky Derby parties that brought the community together. Her contribution will forever be remembered by all those she touched.


Fran was full of life and had a glowing personality that drew people towards her; she loved hosting yard parties with family and friends which always ended up being memorable evenings. The annual Keaveny family reunion was an event she always looked forward to, along with planned sister weekend getaways including Las Vegas, and a few larger international trips to Ireland and Germany.


Her hobbies were diverse; Fran loved playing pool, poker, gambling, playing cribbage with Jim Putnam, golfing and watching football – especially cheering on the Minnesota Vikings. Whenever something surprised or amazed Fran - holy buckets was often exclaimed! Her parents were her role models throughout life but while living in Louisville, the Pride of Kentucky Chorus became her Kentucky family and Fran cherished Peggy Sutton as her mentor, who was always there to guide her and cheer her on.


Fran will be deeply missed by her siblings, Lenore Moulsoff, of Plymouth, MN, Cecile (Kirby) Scroggins, of Shoreview, MN, Peter (Marge) Keaveny, of Wishek, ND, Susan (Bob) Lehner, of Oak Grove, MN, Jeanne (Jim) Putnam, of Battle Lake, MN, Joe (Patricia) Keaveny, of Wahpeton, ND; dear friends, Peggy Sutton, of Louisville, KY; many loving nieces and nephews; several loving cousins; sister-in-law, Betty Keaveny, of Chesapeake Bay, VA; and good friends, Pride of Kentucky (Sweet Adelines Chorus), Friends in Harmony, and ICS co-workers.


She was preceded in death by her parents, Raymond and Carmella Keaveny; infant sister, Mary; siblings, Brian Keaveny, Terry Keaveny, and Charles Keaveny; brothers and sisters-in-law, Jim Moulsoff, Janice Keaveny, Nancy Clifford, and Carmen Yanish; and several nieces and nephews.

To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Rae "Fran" Francella Keaveny, please visit our flower store.
Keaveny, Fran folder.pdf
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Service Schedule

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Visitation

Saturday, May 27, 2023

9:00 - 10:30 am (Central time)

St John's Catholic Church

115 2nd St N, Wahpeton, ND 58075

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Funeral Mass

Saturday, May 27, 2023

10:30 - 11:30 am (Central time)

St John's Catholic Church

115 2nd St N, Wahpeton, ND 58075

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