Dec. 12, 1938 - May 23, 2025
Date of Service: Jun. 2, 2025
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BURLEY – Sydna J. Keating, an 86-year-old resident of Burley, passed away Friday, May 23, 2025, at her home, in Burley.
Sydna was born on December 12, 1938, in Brigham City, Utah, to Ephraim Carl and Vesta Anderson Jensen. Sydna had a choice childhood, growing up on a farm along the Iowa String road five miles south of Tremonton, Utah. Those idyllic years were spent riding her horse bareback through fields and along country roads, running down the land with a border collie pup at her heels, bottle feeding a pet lamb and teaching him to lead, and sitting on the back step, stroking the barnyard cat and soaking up the sun.
Sydna attended McKinley Grade School, graduated from Bear River High School, and attended The University of Utah where she was affiliated with Kappa Kappa Gamma. On March 28, 1959, she married Robert Edward “Bob” Keating in Salt Lake City, Utah. Bob was the paragon of patience and a strong supporter of all Sydna’s endeavors. They made their home in Brigham City, Utah, and were blessed with two beautiful daughters, Marie and Celia.
Sydna returned to college when her daughters were in elementary school. She graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in English Literature and History from Weber State College. She later completed her teaching certificate and taught junior and senior high school, as well as adult education programs. She went on to receive a Master of Fine Arts degree from Utah State University.
Although she loved learning and usually had a book at the ready, Sydna came to realize that her children and grandchildren were the “books” she could never put down. They were the true works in progress that she wanted to enjoy and with whom she wanted to spend her days. They were her joy and her song. Above all, she wanted to share with them her hard-won knowledge of her Heavenly Father’s unreserved love and of her Savior’s infinite Atonement. As a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Sydna’s most meaningful calling was as a visiting teacher. She also served as a president and teacher of the Relief Society. She was grateful for the lives that touched hers for good and tried to give back in kind. She especially found fulfillment in temple worship.
Sydna is survived by her daughter, Celia (Danny) Turner; son-in-law, Byron Clark; grandchildren, Lindsey (Kevin) Crouch, Brock (Adrienne) Turner, Cameron (Jessica) Turner, and Allison (Preston) Turner-Kamp; and seven great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Bob; daughter, Marie Keating Clark; granddaughter, Lydia Rachel Clark; her parents; her uncle, Wilford Jensen; and siblings, Reed (Carolyn) Jensen, Karl (Sue) Jensen, Carolyn (Don) Parker, and Ruth Jensen.
The funeral will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, June 2, at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints - Unity 1st Ward, located at 275 S. 250 E., in Burley, with Bishop N. Rob Hansen officiating. Burial will follow at Bear River City Cemetery, in Bear River City, Utah, at 3:30 p.m.
Family and friends will be received from 5 until 6 p.m. Sunday, June 1, at Rasmussen-Wilson Funeral Home, located at 1350 E. 16th St., in Burley, and Monday, one hour prior to the service, at the church.
A live webcast of the Funeral Service will be available and maintained at the following link: https://youtu.be/WuLxntaiDWM.
