Mariam Gilbert McKeever

Mariam McKeever, 83, of West Des Moines, died Friday, December 24, 2010, at Taylor House Hospice in Des Moines. Mariam was well known for her many talents including teaching, directing and acting. She will be greatly missed by everyone who knew her.

Mariam was born in Lawrence, Kansas and lived there with her grandparents during the Great Depression years. Her WWII years were spent at high school in Connecticut. She graduated from Carnegie Mellon in 1955.

In Des Moines, Mariam met her partner and husband of 45 years, Larry A. McKeever. They spent a year in New York City and then, at the invitation of an Australian friend, moved to Sydney where they worked on stage and in TV production. They returned to Des Moines in 1964.

Mariam and Larry were employed by the Des Moines Community Playhouse in the late 1960s, Mariam as the Children's Theater Director and Larry as Technical Director. Both often appeared on the Playhouse stage. They began doing radio and TV commercials and in 1968 opened Des Moines' first professional recording studio and talent agency, Lariam Associates, Inc., at 515 28th Street.

Mariam will also be remembered as co-owner and producer of over 110 shows at Des Moines' first successful dinner theater, Charlie's Showplace. While the McKeevers were operating their recording studio, they were asked to produce a play for a "new" entertainment idea - dinner combined with a show. After three sold out shows, the McKeevers decided to investigate the market to open a full-time theater of their own. The result was Charlie's Showplace which opened in the remodeled original Orthodox Synagogue at 5th and University on September 26, 1973. A professional acting company and staff offered 5 to 8 dinners and shows a week until December 31, 1984. Mariam was producer/director/manager and Larry was genial host/technical director/wine steward. Both acted in many of the shows.

In 1978 Mariam was honored to be the first woman to receive the Iowa Small Business Administration Manager of the Year Award for the success with Charlie's Showplace. She traveled to Washington, D.C. for the president's presentation.

When Charlie's Showplace closed, Mariam returned to teaching. She taught social sciences to many lucky students at North High School from 1990 to 2000. In 2008 Mariam moved into the The Lodge on Ashworth Road were she enjoyed friends, playing bridge, reading murder mysteries and watching the changing seasons from her courtyard window.

Mariam's body was cremated. Her ashes will be scattered in the Pacific Ocean along with those of her beloved Larry, who preceded her in death on September 4, 2007. Their influence and accomplishments will be carried in many hearts forever.

Mariam is survived by an extended family of children, grandchildren and friends around the world. In lieu of flowers, you are invited to contribute to Taylor House Hospice.

A memorial visitation will be held on Monday, December 27, 2010 from 4 to 7 p.m. at Hamilton’s on Westown Parkway, 3601 Westown Parkway, West Des Moines, IA. Online condolences may be made at www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com.

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