Kathryne "Katie" Keeffer-Warthen, 97, of Lena, IL passed away peacefully at her home on Monday, October 16, 2023 surrounded by her family.  Katie was born on March 31, 1926 to John and Gladys Mantzke in Lena, IL.  She was a 1944 graduate of Lena High School.  Katie married Gale Keeffer in 1944.  Katie worked alongside her father, John, at the Lena Tavern.  In 1956, Gale and Katie bought the tavern from John.  Many from the area knew the tavern as Red and Katie's.  Gale preceded her in death in 1983.  Katie married LaVerne "Coop" Harnish, and then married Harry Warthen, they both preceded her in death.

Katie was an avid golfer, she even scored a Hole-in-One on April 25, 1995 on Hole 6 at the Lena Golf Course.  She loved playing cards and traveling to places like Hawaii and Europe, and she especially enjoyed wintering in Harlingen, TX, Pembroke Pines, FL, and Green Valley, AZ.

Katie is survived by her son John (Jeanette) Keeffer of Lena, grandchildren; Brian (Elaine) Keeffer, Carla (Barry) Homan, Dana (Christin) Keeffer, all of Lena, Allison (Brandon) James and Christine Keeffer, both of Madison, WI, great-grandchildren; John (Bobbi) Keeffer, Katie (Colton) Russell, Madi (Blake) Becke, Jake (Kati Eden) Homan, Peyton (Abby Roxby) Keeffer, Bryant (Autumn Reeves) Keeffer, Gavin (Marianna  Brenner) Keeffer, and Olivia (Hunter Vick) Keeffer, great-great grandchildren; Everly, Ruby, and Sawyer Keeffer, Briggs and Briar Becke, and Axl Russell, daughter-in-law; Lou Keeffer of Madison, WI, sister-in-law Judy Mantzke of Freeport, IL, and several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husbands Gale, Coop, and Harry, her son Tim Keeffer, grandson Brad Keeffer, sister Jean Dittmar and her brother Donald Mantzke.

Funeral services will be held at 10:00 AM on Saturday, October 21, 2023 at St. John's Lutheran Church.

A visitation will be from 9:00 AM until 10:00 AM on Saturday, October 21, 2023 at St. John's Lutheran Church.

Pastor Jason Shaw and Pastor Rick Bader will co-officiate the services.

Burial will be at Chapel Hill Memorial Gardens in Freeport, IL.

A memorial has been established in her memory.