Nancy June Keating

Nancy June Keating died on Feb. 5. She was born in Minot on Nov.11, 1952, and never let you forget she was a Scorpio. Her parents were Stanley and Genevieve Keating and she joined older siblings Mary, Tim, Lisbeth, and Kathy - forever the baby of the family. Furniture sales and assisting lawyers were all part of the family enterprise.

The highlight of Nancy's high school years was time spent with the pit crew and other theater friends. Nancy attended UND and earned a BA degree in history. She completed further studies at the UND School of Law and Moorhead State University. She was employed in Bismarck by Legal Assistance of North Dakota, the Mental Health Association, and Centre, Inc.

Nancy had a sharp intellect and keen sense of humor. She was a master at team trivia games, where she used her encyclopedic knowledge of English history, World War I, film noir, Agatha Christie, art, the Beatles, and classical music. She loved nothing more than an afternoon at the movies with a large stash of snacks.

Nancy truly appreciated fine dining and credited her mother's culinary talent with her joy in dining. She rejected any suggestion that she should cook, preferring to eat out or at others' tables. Even through the pandemic she continued to scout new and interesting places to eat in Bismarck and Mandan. When she shared meals with friends she would tolerate friends' tales of gardening – and other subjects in which she had no interest.

Nancy was enthralled with cute characters - stuffed peeps and owls were among her favorites. Her car was easily identified by the slightly deflated stuffed yellow peep on the dashboard. Nancy collected decorative boxes, Mexican ceramic birds, and shiny trinkets –and often compared herself to a crow. She loved cats, and reminisced about a cat who shared her childhood. She was interested in friends' pets - more so than in their children.

Nancy was well-known as a supportive member of the LGBQIA + community, where she developed close friendships. She was a gifted listener, but didn't hesitate to voice opinions, particularly if they concerned a book or political stance she found lacking.

Nancy was a longtime board member for AID, Inc., a non-profit organization providing temporary, emergency assistance to help families and individuals stay in their homes and become self-sufficient. She looked forward to performances of the Bismarck-Mandan Chamber Orchestra and the Bismarck-Mandan Symphony Orchestra.

Nancy was diagnosed with aggressive cancer just a few months ago, and went to Fargo for palliative care and hospice care.

Nancy is survived by her siblings. Nancy said she had excelled at choosing friends over the years. Grateful to be among them are longtime, old friends Janell Cole, Deb Levchak, Kathy Davison, and Gail Hagerty.

Arrangements were handled by Hanson-Runsvold Funeral Home of Fargo. Memorial services will be held at a later time. Friends who are inclined may consider donating in her memory to her favorite causes: Aid Inc., Central Dakota Humane Society, Bismarck Library Foundation, and Dakota Outright.