Lennis Keyes

Lennis Wayne Keyes, age 59, of Scottsdale, AZ passed away at his home after suffering a heart attack on June 6, 2023.  He was born January 13, 1964 in Central City, to Lowell and R’Lou (Erickson) Keyes.
A Memorial Service will be held at 11 a.m., Friday, June 16 at Westside Covenant Church,  1009 1st Street, Aurora.  Rev. Karl Larson will officiate.
During his youth in Aurora, Lennis worked at Chuck’s Drive In, like so many of his friends did.  He was also involved in Boy Scouts, Youth Group, Cross Country and held leadership roles in FBLA and National Honor Society.  He was a member of the band and playing in various groups of which he took great pride.  Lennis loved spending time at Covenant Cedars where he was baptized and enjoyed travel camp through the Christian Resource Center.  Lennis represented Aurora as a Cornhusker Boys State Delegate.  
Lennis graduated from Aurora High School with the class of 1982 and attended and graduated from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln with a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration.  While there he enjoyed playing his trumpet in the University Marching Band and was in the Acacia Fraternity.
After graduation, Lennis began his professional career working for Service Master in Cincinnati, OH, later moving to the Chicago area.  He became a Financial Advisor for Ameriprise and soon acquired his own business.  His passion for photography led him to sell his business and relocate to Phoenix to enjoy the warmer climate and beautiful desert area capturing lightning and desert scenes and western action portraits.  From this, Lennis Wayne Photographic Art began.  His video of the Arizona Monsoon at Sunset was featured on the Today Show and many other photos were soon on Wake Up With Al, The Weather Channel, Fox News 10, ABC15 and NBC12 in Phoenix, AZ.  At the time of his death he was also employed by Vanguard as a financial advisor.
Always a prankster no matter what age, his motto in life was that no one was going to have more fun than him.  There was never a dull moment with him around with his laughter filling the room.
Lennis dearly loved his nieces and nephews and was known to spoil them “just a little”.  Uncle Lenny loved treating them to the exciting sights, sounds and restaurants that the City of Chicago had to offer.  
Traveling was a passion of Lennis’ including a mission trip to Hungary, visiting Paris, the Caribbean, Hawaii, and many other states.  
Lennis is survived by his mother, R’Lou Keyes, sisters, Leanne (Charlie) Gustafson and Sherri (Rick) Miller, all of Aurora and sister-in-law, Lauryn Keyes of McHenry, IL.  He is also survived by his nieces and nephews, Angie (Steve) McRostie, Jeremy (Amy) Miller, Lisa (Tyson) Toews, Jenna (Tyler) Mensik, Licia (David) Radford and Laine (Bethany) Keyes.  Great nieces and nephews, Malorie, Connor and Megan McRostie, Audrey, Hannah and Marcus Toews, Avery and Atley Miller, Simon and Noah Radford and Kaden Mensik, in addition to many relatives and friends.
He was predeceased in death by his father, Lowell Keyes and brother, Lyndon Keyes.
Memorials may be directed to the family to be designated at a later date.