A lesson in Cards

All growing up I was so lucky to have grandparents like Hap and Lil. They would come and visit and I so vividly remember playing cards in their trailer. In the morning Clarissa and I would go out and have oatmeal and toast in the trailer with them (they always had the "good butter" the kind in the tub. It was different for me and I liked it). After, we would play cribbage. Even though I was very young grandpa would help me with the counting and would let me shuffle the cards (the right way so as not to bend them). Whenever I shuffle cards, I always think of Grandpa teaching me. To this day I still love playing cards. I thank my grandparents for sharing this hobby with me.

PS As we all know Grandpa was hard of hearing. I remember so often he would sit playing cards with a big smile on his face. We would ask him questions and he would always just nod his head yes. Most of the time I am pretty sure he did not hear what we were asking him. This image of Grandpa smiling, nodding and knocking his hand on the table when he finished his turn is one I will cherish forever.

Photos of Hap with his wife Lil

Their Wedding Photo.

Still a good looking couple.

I will forever remember Grandpa calling Grandma his "sweetie" He always spoke with love when he talked about marrying Lil. He was always very dedicated to her.

Why the Blog?

Hello Friends and Family,

This blog is an opportunity for us all to share pictures or memories of Hap Keinath. Please feel free to make comments and share this blog with those who would like to celebrate a great man.

It is also a way to communicate with one another about a memorial service in the future where we could meet and fondly share and say good bye to Hap Keinath.

Some Pics From Rachel

Hap with his wife Lil. (1988)

Hap and Lil with their Grandchildren. (1986)

Hap and Lil with Grandchildren Rachel and Clarissa. (1988)

Hap atop the Space Needle. (1988)

Hap with his son Harry and his Grandaughter Rachel. (2004)

Harry "Hap" Keinath

Harry (Hap) Gustav Keinath – 92 – Yuma, Arizona

Rejoined our Lord on September 24, 2010 in his home of 27 years

Born July 30, 1918 to a large 4th generation German farm family in Vassar near Frankenmuth, Michigan to Elmer and Bertha Keinath. His mother passed away on his 2^nd birthday and so Harry was primarily raised by elder sisters to whom he remained devoted as beloved parental figures. Hap, short for “Happy” soon became his moniker as he seemed so cheerful among 11 siblings.

At age 16, he was obligated to live on a neighboring farm where he worked as a farm hand and sent his meager wages home to help his family. Three days after turning 21 he joined the Army and despite his 8^th-grade education was promptly enrolled in officer candidate school (OCS). After a rapid series of promotions he was trained as a reconnaissance pilot and soon trained other young officers. He spent WWII in the South Pacific, first in Hawaii, then on a series of islands and the Philippines where he flew spotting missions for artillery from a small Piper Cub that he assembled himself. By the time of his retirement from military service he held the rank of Lt. Colonel.

After the war he returned to Michigan and met his wife of 63 years, Lillian Welling of Wheeler. They left to honeymoon in San Francisco and set up residence there, where he learned carpentry while they started their family with Pamela and then Harry. After a few years, they built a house in Belmont and lived there until 1979. Hap earned a good living as a general contractor and formed Keinath Construction Co., building homes, commercial properties and in his later years remodeling kitchens and bathrooms by word-of-mouth only. He and Lil enjoyed learning and proudly earned their AA degrees.

Upon retirement, he and Lil moved to Yuma, Arizona and enjoyed a full and busy life with square dancing, shuffle board, championship horseshoes, R-Ving across the country as snowbirds and volunteering at Yuma Regional Medical Center. He studied Spanish among his varied avocations.

Hap is survived by his wife, Lillian; Daughter, Pamela Keinath of Escondido, CA; Son, Harry Keinath (Mary Calhoun) of Shoreline, WA; four granddaughters; Erin (Brian) Stensler; Clarissa (John) Holtz; Kerry Alpen; and, Rachel Keinath. There is one great-granddaughter, Hannah Stensler. He also leaves two sisters, one brother and many nieces, nephews, grand and great, great nieces and nephews and so many, many dear friends.

He was a lifelong member of the Lutheran church, attending a one-room parochial school house speaking mostly German through the 8^th grade. There will be a memorial service at 11:00AM on Wednesday, September 29th at Calvary Lutheran Church at 711 S. 7^th Avenue, Yuma where Pastor Michael Joynt will officiate.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be sent to the Calvary Lutheran Building Fund and/or Hospice of Yuma.