Anna Rae (Keneipp, age 79 of Lawrenceville, passed away peacefully at home on Friday, January 18, 2019. She was born in Lawrenceville on August 11, 1939 to Nelson and Georganna (Conkey) Johnson.
Anna graduated from Lawrenceville High School in 1957, went to work for Attorney Phil Benfield part-time from 1958 to 1961, and decided to venture to California in 1961. She returned to Illinois in 1983. Upon returning to Illinois, she completed her education by earning a Master’s Degree from Eastern Illinois University. She then used her education to established a career with the Illinois State DCSF. She retired from the DCSF in 2006.
Throughout Anna’s life, she wore numerous hats: daughter, wife, mother, secretary, waitress, bartender, foster parent, and social worker.
Surviving family includes: her husband of 16 years- Steve Keneipp of Lawrenceville: two daughters- and Niki Shelby and husband Clint of Copperopolis, CA and Toni Watkins of Nashville, TN: two stepsons- Chris Keneipp and wife Carrie and Todd Keneipp: two grandsons- Bryan Newby and Cody Kappel and his wife Terra: two step-granddaughters- Tara Harvey and Danielle Solt: four great-grandchildren: and nine step-great-grandchildren: one niece: and one nephew.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Nelson and Georganna Johnson, and her only son, Robert Martin, Jr.
A visitation will be held for Anna Rae (Johnson) Keneipp on Sunday, January 27, 2019 at the Cunningham-Young Funeral Home in Lawrenceville from 2:00 p.m. until 4:00 p.m. As per Anna’s wishes, her body will be cremated following her visitation. Burial will take place at a later date in the Lawrenceville City Cemetery.
Online condolences can be made to the family at www.cunninghamfuneralhomes.com.