Myrtle (Eckerman) Keppy was born on March 1, 1924, in Lincoln Township. She was raised on a farm with her brother and was taught the importance of being involved in community affairs from her parents. She attended a rural one-room schoolhouse from grades K-8 and continued her education at Davenport Central High School. She graduated in 1942.

Her future husband, Roy B. Keppy, was born on March 7, 1923 and was raised on farm in Sheridan Township. He was the youngest of 10 children, five brothers and four sisters.

Roy also attended the rural one-room schoolhouse and continued his education at J.B. Young Jr. High School in Davenport. He completed grade nine and stayed home to work on their family farm.

On January 23, 1946 Myrtle and Roy were married. They too, taught their four children the importance of being involved in community affairs. Myrtle and Roy were charter members of Faith Lutheran Church in Eldridge, Iowa, as well as the Scott County Pork Producers and Porkettes. Roy was a charter member of the North Scott Rotary and served on the Board of Directors of Eldridge Cooperative and also the Central Trust and Savings Bank. They have also been supporting members of the North Scott Athletic Boosters, Scott County 4-H including numerous local, state and national organizations.

Myrtle’s daughter, Annette Remsburg has written a biography on her mother entitled, Rural Reality-Sixty Years of Iowa Farm Family Life. This biography is based on Myrtle’s daily diaries. Records of Myrtle’s community involvement are also preserved for research in the University of Iowa Libraries Rural Women’s Archives.

The Keppy’s charitable interests lye in the growth of the Scott County Library branch in Eldridge, CASI and providing scholarships for graduates of North Scott High School. This influenced Myrtle’s decision to support her community by making a charitable gift to the Community Foundation to create a permanent scholarship fund.

The Roy & Myrtle Keppy Scholarship Fund offers young people the opportunity to reach their full potential and develop into lifelong learners. Roy was a firm believer that a person should try to learn something new everyday. The Keppy’s hope recipients remember their roots in the community and remain friends of agriculture as they pursue their varied interests.