June 14, 1921 - July 30, 2015

Elfrieda Wilhelmina Keefe (maiden name Lack), 94, of Maumelle. It is with great sadness to let all who loved and knew Elfrieda that she passed on July 30, 2015, peacefully at her home of natural causes.

She was born on June 14, 1921, in Koblenz, Germany, the daughter of Edward Lack and Frieda Lack. She is survived by her children, Maritrese Nash and husband Kurt of Prince Frederick, MD, Bonnie LoBianco and husband Royce of Maumelle, AR, and Wende Preaskorn and her husband Jim of Bridgeport, WV; her grandchildren Ryan Runquist and husband Eric, Clare Cruppenink and her husband Clayton, Jeannae-Parran Pinno and her husband Erik, Francesca LoBianco, Royce LoBianco Jr., Caitlin Preaskorn, and James Preaskorn Jr.; and her great-grandchildren, Jack Runquist, Briscoe Cruppenink, Dawkins Cruppenink and Lillian Pinno.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband of 51 years, Gordon Keefe, her brother, Edward Lack Jr and her granddaughter, Kristina LoBianco.

After immigrating to the United States through Ellis Island when she was 4, her family settled in Chicago, IL. She was one of the first women who had a career. Following her high school graduation, she worked for Bell Atlantic Telephone as an operator where she witnessed her "entire board lighting up" during the bombing of Pearl Harbor. Following the war, she worked as an Accounts Receivable Clerk at Pioneer Bank, until she met her future husband, Gordon, on a blind date. They relocated to Washington, DC and later Bethesda, MD, Huntingtown, MD, and eventually Maumelle, AR, where she has resided for the past 20 years.

Elfrieda was a member of Immaculate Heart of Mary Church and enjoyed attending church and school events such as Karnawal and Bingo. She was a master gardener and participated in several garden clubs over the years. Her love of playing games led her to be an avid Bunco player in two groups in Maumelle, Arkansas. Elfrieda was also a long time member of the Maumelle Newcomers Group and Life Quest of Arkansas. She enjoyed reading mysteries and cookbooks, watching golf, cooking, gardening and playing any card or board game with her family.

Elfrieda was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, sister and aunt who enjoyed spending time with her friends and family. She will be greatly missed by all who loved her.

The family will receive friends 6:00-8:00 P.M., Thursday, August 6 at Roller-Chenal Funeral Home, 13801 Chenal Pkwy., Little Rock, Arkansas (501) 224-8300. The mass of Christian burial will be 10:00 A.M., Friday, August 7 at Immaculate Heart of Mary, 7025 Jasna Gora in Marche.

The family would like to thank the Stonehaven Assisted Living of Maumelle staff for all of the loving assistance, care, and friendship given to Elfrieda for the past 4 years. And a special thanks to Arkansas Hospice who helped provide additional personal care during her last month.

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