David Keeney takes final lap at race track funeral

• Race track funeral

Race track funeral

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David Keeney was a hard-working, family man who loved spending time at the race track.

A circuit board designer by day, he spent many a night at the race track, serving as crew chief for his brother, Jeff, who drives a dirt late model race car for the Auto Physics Racing Team. Jeff was the “bender,” and Dave was the “mender.” Racing could be considered hereditary, as the Keeney brothers were introduced to it by their father, Milton, who was a racer himself back in the day.

When David Keeney died suddenly on March 27 at the age of 52, the funeral services planned to reflect his life took his family and friends to a familiar place — the race track.

A visitation for Keeney was held on Friday, March 30, at the Cedar Lake Speedway in rural New Richmond. Then, as a fitting remembrance to honor David, the pace truck from the Cedar Lake Speedway carried his casket for a “Final Lap” tribute. The lap was driven by his brother, Jeff. More than a hundred of David’s family and friends stood in the grandstands of the Cedar Lake Speedway to witness the drop of the green flag, the eloquent and reverent “Final Lap” tribute, and finally the checkered flag.

A gathering and burial was held the next day in Keeney’s hometown of Mt. Hope. Keeney is survived by his wife, Marie; his daughter, Andrea; his parents, Milton (Doris) Keeney of Hudson; brother and best friend, Jeff, (Barb) Keeney of River Falls; his grandmother, Alice Keeney of Fennimore; dog, Duke; cow, Oreo; as well as many other relatives and numerous friends.

Tags: new richmond, communities