Deanne Crandall Keetch

Deanne Crandall Keetch, beloved sister, wife, mother, grandmother, and friend, passed away on October 15, 2026, at the age of 88. Her life was defined by faith, hard work, adventure, and an extraordinary love for family.

Deanne was born on June 7, 1938, in Orem, Utah, to Merrill Newman Crandall and Lyle Kofford Crandall. The oldest of six children, she grew up on a fruit farm and developed a lifelong love of apples, peaches, raspberries, and other fresh fruit. One of her earliest memories was being sealed to her parents in the Manti Utah Temple at age two. Her belief in eternal families would remain a foundation of her life.

Her love story with Gary Keetch began in eighth grade when he whistled a song at a school assembly and caught her attention. They became high school sweethearts, with Deanne on the Tigerette drill team and Gary playing several sports. They graduated from Lincoln High School in 1956 and remained part of a close circle of eight friends whose friendships endured throughout their lives. Deanne and Gary married on March 29, 1957, in the Salt Lake Temple and welcomed four children into their family: Von, Kathy, Greg, and Melissa.

Deanne was a gifted typist and capable businesswoman. Early in her career, she worked at H.S. Kress department store and as a bookkeeper at DTR in Provo, developing skills that would serve her throughout her life. In 1980, she founded Taco Amigo in Pleasant Grove, becoming one of the few female business leaders in the valley. She gave more than 1700 young people their first work experience, teaching them to work hard, be responsible, and take care of one another. Her influence extended far beyond the workplace, leaving a lasting impression on generations of young people.

A devoted member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Deanne served faithfully in numerous callings. She and Gary served a full-time mission at the Provo Missionary Training Center, presiding over the International Mission Office. She especially loved serving as Gary’s scribe as he gave patriarchal blessings, transcribing and editing hundreds upon hundreds of blessings. She also treasured serving as a Laurel class advisor over a combined two to three decades. She deeply loved the young women she taught and never felt released from being part of their lives. To Deanne, these relationships were lifelong.

Deanne loved traveling with her family and turning ordinary opportunities into extraordinary adventures. When Gary received money to fly to an educational conference, they would often choose to drive the entire family instead. Their 1974 Ford station wagon, complete with wood paneling, carried them to most of the states in the United States. In later years, she traveled with family to Asia, Europe, Australia, New Zealand, and many other destinations. Wherever they went, the greatest treasure was being together and making memories.

Deanne’s life was not without profound challenges and sorrow. She lost two brothers early in life, survived breast cancer, endured the heartbreaking loss of her oldest son, Von, and spent the last five years of her life deeply missing Gary, her eternal companion. Through these difficult experiences, she continued to face life with a smile, while her faith and love for family remained steadfast.

Of all her accomplishments, Deanne considered being a mother and grandmother her greatest joy and most meaningful work. She cherished the years spent at home raising and teaching her children, nurturing relationships that will last eternally. She had a remarkable gift for making each grandchild and great-grandchild feel uniquely loved and valued, while teaching them to work hard and play hard. She understood that the most important things in life are found in everyday moments: the lessons taught, the memories made, and the relationships nurtured over a lifetime. That same love extended to her extended family, the young people she employed, the young women she mentored, and the many friends she held dear.

Deanne is survived by her daughter-in-law, Bernice Keetch (Von); her children, Kathy Linebaugh (Carl), Greg Keetch (Melissa), and Melissa Karren (John); her brother-in-law Jay Harris (Marilyn); siblings Nancy (Ken) Furr and Tim (Natalie) Crandall, 16 of her grandchildren; and 20 great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Gary; her son, Von; her grandson Brady Linebaugh; her parents, Merrill and Lyle Crandall; and her siblings Von Charles “Mikey” Crandall, Dan Crandall, and Marilyn Harris.

Services are under the care and direction of Olpin Family Mortuary in Pleasant Grove, Utah. Condolences may be sent to the family at olpinmortuary.com.

Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, October 21, 2026, at 11:00 AM at the Mount Mahogany Stake Center; 1548 North 900 West, Pleasant Grove, Utah. A morning visitation for family and friends will be held from 9:30 to 10:45 AM at the Stake Center.

An evening visitation will be held on Tuesday, October 20, 2026, from 6:00 to 8:00 PM at the Olpin Family Mortuary; 494 South 300 East, Pleasant Grove, Utah.