Irving Keating

They wanted to live near their daughter, Kim Keating, and the nearby Lake Pokegema, which had become his favorite fishing spot. His wife died on April 11 of this year. They had spent most of their lives in Minot and were among the last of a generation who contributed their energies and gifts to a thriving, growing, post-World War II community.

He was born Nov. 17, 1917, in Leith, a son of Timothy and Anna (Lohman) Keating. The family later lived in Valley City before moving to Minot in 1932. He was educated in Minot schools and graduated from Minot High School.

The Keating name in the Minot furniture business got its start after Irving’s father, Timothy, went to work in 1932 as the manager of Hodgins Furniture in Minot. Not long afterward, he purchased the business. Irving joined his father in the company in 1940, and by 1943, he was manager of the floor covering department of Keating’s Furniture.

His brothers Robert and Stanley also were part of the business. They formed a partnership after their father’s death, and eventually, the operation included an outlet store in Minot and a furniture center in Williston.

He interrupted his career as a furniture dealer and enlisted in the Army during World War II. He served from 1943 to 1945. Following his honorable discharge, he returned to Minot and to the family furniture business.

Over time, the business has had various downtown locations. Irving and his brothers dissolved their partnership in 1966. Robert moved to Devils Lake and started a furniture business there; Stanley remained in Minot. Irving acquired the old Stearns Garage at 10 South Broadway, and in 1968, after extensive remodeling of that structure, reopened at that location where the company remains. Initially, it also housed I. Keating Warehouse Sales and Outlet Furniture as well as I. Keating, Inc. He got out of the Williston business in 1973. He retired in 1998 and sold the business to Charles Kramer, who has been associated with the business since 1969 and has since been joined in its operation by other members of his family. Two of Irv and June Keating’s sons, Bruce and Pat, continued to work at the store, Bruce retiring this year and Pat continuing as an employee.

On Jan. 22, 1940, Irving married June Westlie whose father was the founder of Westlie Motor Co. in Minot. They remained in Minot where they raised their family and were involved in a number of community activities.

He was a member of the Minot Elks Lodge and the Minot Chamber of Commerce. But it was the Minot Country Club that became his major outside interest. He developed into a championship golfer known for his long drives. He won a number of tournaments, often vying with his brother-in-law Gordon Westlie for international and regional titles.

Hunting and fishing were other outdoor sports he enjoyed, and he was still at the end of a fishing rod last summer.

He is survived by a daughter, Kim Keating, Grand Rapids; sons, Gordon (Marlyn) Seattle, Robert (Jill), Oceanside, Calif., Bruce (Toni), Grand Junction, Colo., and Pat, Minot; five grandchildren, Taylor (Vivian) Black, Jordan Keating, Mackenzie Keating, Isaiah (Tiffany) Keating, and Tim Keating; two great-grandchildren, Andrew Keating and Jasper Keating; brother-in-law, James (Maidie) Westlie, Minot, and sister-in-law, Carol Westlie, Seattle; and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his wife; parents; brothers, Robert Keating and his wife Ellen, and Stanley Keating and his wife Gen; brothers-in-law, Gordon Westlie, and Chuck Westlie and his wife Madge.

Memorial Service: 1 p.m. Thursday, May 28, 2015, at Thompson-Larson Funeral Home Chapel, Minot.

Interment: Rosehill Memorial Park, Minot.

A Celebration of Irv’s life will held in Grand Rapids in the summer of 2015.

Visitation: 4 to 6 p.m. Wednesday at Thompson-Larson Funeral Home, Minot.

Memorials: are preferred to the Jack Hoeven Wee Links Youth Golf or to an organization of the donor’s choice.

Those wishing to sign the online register and share memories may access the online obituaries section at (www.thompsonlarson.com).