Beth Ann Keefer, 54, of Mansfield, passed away on Saturday, Aug. 12, 2017.
Beth was born on Sept. 12, 1962 in Cleveland, Ohio, the daughter of Richard Eugene Hendricks (now deceased) and Doris Wolfgang Noe.
Beth grew up in Mansfield. She thoroughly enjoyed athletics and the outdoors from an early age, participating in gymnastics and swim team. She had a competitive nature and always enjoyed a challenge, placing 25th at Nationals in the breaststroke.
After multiple family vacations to Drowsy Water Dude Ranch in Colorado, Beth started working her summers there at the age of 15. This began Beth’s love of the mountains and of the grandeur of nature.
Beth graduated from Malabar High School in 1980 and went on to The Ohio State University, where she majored in Productions and Operation Management. After graduating with her BSBA, she worked at General Motors as a production scheduler before partnering with her husband, William C. Keefer, to join his practice as a certified public accountant in 1986.
Always an overachiever, Beth earned her CPA certificate in one sitting. She was also an owner of Intentional Balance, LLC, a business she started with her son, Scott Keefer, to help young adults with budgeting their business and personal finances.
The business released a mobile app, GradLoan, in 2016 to further serve their purpose. Beth was passionate about her work and building genuine relationships with her clients. She would be the first to tell you accounting was far from boring. She really loved helping others and making a difference through her work.
Beth met her husband, Bill Keefer, while in college, and they were married on Dec. 6, 1986. Beth and Bill were a team at home and at work, complimenting one another’s strengths. Throughout the years, they were not only husband and wife, but effective business partners and best friends who never tired of each other’s company.
Over the years, the couple enjoyed traveling together, visiting places such as Kiawah Island, Yellowstone, Jackson Hole, Rocky Mountain National Park, and most recently, Zion National Park.
Together, Beth and Bill raised two children, Kristin and Scott. Many will remember Beth proudly cheering at sporting events and coaching Kristin’s soccer team for many years. Beth became a grandmother in August 2014, and for the last few years, spent countless hours laughing, playing, and enjoying the company of her two granddaughters, Josie and Reese.
In addition to family, Beth cared for this community deeply and supported Mansfield City Schools by serving on the levy committee and acting as Treasurer for the Mansfield City School Alumni Association.
Beth also loved dogs, including her beloved Golden Retrievers, Spencer and Chase. Beth’s love of dogs led her to be Treasurer of Maize Memorial Dog Park. She is also a member of First United Methodist Church, the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, and the Ohio Society of Certified Public Accountants.
Beth is survived by her husband, William C. Keefer; daughter, Kristin (Seth) Cooper; son, Scott Keefer (Mandy); granddaughters, Josie and Reese Cooper; mother, Doris Wolfgang (David Randy) Noe; two sisters, Leslie (Paul) Nielsen and Sue Hendricks; brother-in-law, Mike (Anne) Keefer; and nieces and nephews, Chris (McKenzie) Nielsen, Ben (Julia) Nielsen, Corey Bemiller, Jessica Cline and Olivia Keefer.
To learn more about Beth, please check out her blog at http://www.bethakeefer.com/. It will be well worth the read.
The family will receive friends from 2 to 5 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 20, 2017 at the Diamond Street Home of Wappner Funeral Directors, 98 S. Diamond St., Mansfield. A memorial service conducted by Rev. David Root will be held at 2 p.m. in the funeral home.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions be made to Maize Memorial Dog Park of Ontario, Ohio. You could also simply take your pet to this park and remember Beth.
Words of comfort may be expressed at www.wappner.com.
