Beatrix Maria “Trix” Keene was born February 5, 1938, to Matthues “Theo” van Ouwerkerk and Maria (den Hollander) van Ouwerkerk in Rotterdam, Netherlands. Though not a part of her history that she liked to talk about, the family would like to recognize the legacy that Trix leaves behind is a result of her fleeing the Netherlands during World War II. Her father was killed in a German concentration camp in 1944 at the age of 38 and she, her sister and mother immigrated to Prince Edward Island in 1951.

    In 1956, she came to Hartley, Iowa and married Marlyn Linder. Two children joined this union: Valerie and Scott. Marlyn passed away in 1963.

    That same year, Trix met Charles Keene who had lost his wife in a farming accident in October. He had two children: Martha Sue and David. In 1964, Trix and Charles were married and eventually added two more children to their combined family: Vonda and Richard. Charles and Trix celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary on February 28, 2024. Charles passed away on September 9th of that year.

    On Saturday, December 27, 2025, Trix also left this life behind; she was 87 years of age. Preceding her in death are her parents, Theo and Maria van Ouwerkerk; her husbands: Marlyn Linder and Charles Keene; her son, Scott and daughter-in-law, Marsha Linder; her brother, Joop van Ouwerkerk (the Netherlands); sister-in-law, Corrie van Ouwerkerk, her brother, Hank and his wife, Peg van Ouwerkerk (Prince Edward Island, Canada) and her sister, Corrie (Prince Edward Island, Canada).

    Left to cherish her memory are her children: Sue (Ben) Dieken, Val (Dan) Moermond, David (Kris) Keene, Vonda (Vern) Salyer and Richard (Kelly) Keene; 13 grandchildren; 30 great-grandchildren (31st due in April), many other relatives and friends.

In lieu of floral gifts, memorials can be made to

Avera Hospice / Spencer Hospital.

Those who wish to be present for the burial will meet

at the Hartley Funeral Home at 10:30 a.m.

on Saturday, January 3, 2026.

Following the committal service,

the family invites you to join them

for  a gathering of family and friends

at Crazy Bob's in Hartley, Iowa.