Claretta Maryann Keimig

Claretta “Clary” Maryann Keimig, age 87, of Prior Lake, MN, passed peacefully into eternal life on Friday, April 10, 2026, at Mala Strana Assisted Living and Rehabilitation in New Prague, MN.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, April 21, 2026, at St. Michael Catholic Church, 16400 Duluth Avenue SE, Prior Lake, with a time of gathering from 9:00–10:45 a.m. Father Tom Walker will preside. Clary will be laid to rest at St. Michael Catholic Cemetery.

Born Claretta Maryann on October 20, 1938, in Elkton, South Dakota, she was the eighth of nine children of Arnold and Loretta (Galles) Kontz. Clary grew up on her family’s farm, where she learned to handle every outdoor chore with skill and confidence. She was a strong student in school, particularly excelling in English.

During her high school years, Clary met a schoolmate, John Keimig, on the school bus. After several attempts to charm her, John eventually won her heart. They were united in marriage on April 10, 1956, at the Church of St. Peter in Gary, South Dakota. Their marriage was richly blessed with 63 years together and a loving family before John’s passing on September 7, 2019. Together, Clary and John shared a love of camping, snowmobiling, and both summer and winter fishing.

Clary’s greatest blessing and accomplishment was her family. She devoted her life to her calling as a wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, faithfully serving those she loved and finding joy in each role. Every member of her family was a source of deep gratitude and happiness for her. Though she was the mother of six, her nurturing spirit extended far beyond her own home, and she became like a mother to her children’s friends. As a grandmother, she was active and devoted, caring for her grandchildren at every opportunity and delighting in spoiling them.

Clary’s life was filled with joy and a playful spirit. She delighted in playing dice, marbles, and cards, often with a little money on the line. A woman of deep and abiding faith, Clary lived with a grateful heart and a positive spirit, remaining unwavering and full of grace, never complaining even during her final illness.

Clary is forever loved and will be deeply missed by her children: Jeff (Terri) Keimig, Steve (Wendy) Keimig, Ed (Kari) Keimig, Lori (Jeff) Ferris, Mari Jo (Jon) Estabrooks, and Darin “Curby” (Paula) Keimig; her grandchildren: Nicole (Dan) Draine, Katie (Dusty) Olynyk, Tamara (Shannon) Morsching, Candice (James) Penfield, Matthew Ferris, MacKenzie (Kara) Ferris, MeLinda (José Louis) Herrera, Grace Estabrooks (fiancé Keon Samuel), Heather (Sean) Jenks, and Erica Keimig; and her great-grandchildren: Lucia, Anne, Claretta, JohnPaul, Cameron, Rylie, Austin, Kian, Niah, Soren, Laszlo, Izabelle, Zachery, Alexzander, Tessa, D’Vontae, Maddison and Morgan, along with many other relatives and friends.

She was welcomed into Heaven by her beloved husband, John; grandson, John Patrick Keimig; her parents, Arnold and Loretta Kontz; her brothers, Laurel, Bob, Frank, Wayne, and Dale Kontz; and her sisters, Margie Pesch, Donna Verschelde, and Betty DePhilippis.