Lorene P. Keens, 92, made her transition March 26, 2006, at Elm Grove Estates, in Hutchinson, Kan. Her life was full of faith, family and friends.

She was born Lorene Ada Palmer, Aug. 25, 1913, in Newburg, Iowa, to Charles Au-stin Palmer and Nora Belle Palmer. She attended grade schools in Newburg, Iowa and Carpenter, Wyo. She graduated from Grinnell High School, Iowa, and attended Grinnell College, majoring in science.

In Kansas City, Kan., on Dec. 30, 1931, she married James Norton Keens of Sedalia, Mo. They spent their early married life in Sedalia with their business Keens Forging Co., and later lived in Ottawa, Overland Park, Kan., Kansas City, Mo., and their home in Golden Acres, Independence, Mo., designed by her husband. He made his transition there Aug. 20, 1976.

Mrs. Keens was a homemaker and a research reference librarian at the Jackson County Library and Mid Continent Public Library in Independence, Mo.

She was a member of Unity of Independence Unlimited where she served as Board Chairman, founded the lending library and was in the Healing Group. She was a former member of the First Presbyterian Church, Independence, and the Congregational Churches in Grinnell and Sedalia.

Her community service included Presidency of the Medical Center of Independence Auxiliary, PTA President, host for foreign Exchange Students, Girl Scout leader, President of the Independence Pioneer Chapter of DAR, and she continued her membership after her move to Hutchinson with the local DAR chapter for a total of 56 years. She also served as Presidents of the KL Chapter of PEO, the GFWC Nu Era Study Club in Independence and the Camera Club.

Interests included travel throughout the United States, Canada and Mexico, the study of genealogy, glass and Hawaiian Culture.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; daughter, Barbara Ellen Hatley; brothers, Ivan, Keith and Philip Palmer; and a great-granddaughter, Kylee Masterson.

Survivors include: a daughter, Nancy Masterson and husband, Terry, Hutchinson; sisters, Dorothy Hulett and husband, Ray, Sun City, Ariz., Jean Whitehead and husband, Ken, Overland Park; grandsons, Bradley Masterson and wife, LaShel, Elkhorn, Neb., Cameron Masterson and wife, Rochelle, Hutchinson, and Daniel Hatley and wife, Michelle, Peoria, Ariz.; granddaughters, Kimberley Masterson, Hutchinson, and Jill McBee and husband, Brent, Olathe; and great-grandchildren: Brett and Jacqui Masterson, Omaha, Neb., Joshua and McKinsey Mitten, Elkhorn, Neb., Thomas, James and Matthew Hatley, Peoria, Ariz., Mya Masterson, Hutchinson, and Taylor and Kristin McBee, Olathe.

Cremation has taken place, with a service to be held at Elm Grove Estates, Monday, March 27, at 3 p.m.

Memorials may be sent to Hospice Care of Kansas or Unity of Independence, in care of Elliott Mortuary, Hutchinson.

Personal condolences may be sent to www.elliottmortuary.com.