Crash victim remembered

Lisa Keys

The family and friends of Lisa Keys are mourning and remembering the Dupo woman after her death. 

She died Friday afternoon following serious injuries sustained in an Easter Sunday afternoon motorcycle crash south of Waterloo.

The accident report is not yet complete, but Monroe County Sheriff Neal Rohlfing said Keys was a passenger on a motorcycle that was traveling with a group on Route 3 south of KK Road shortly after 3:30 p.m. 

According to Rohlfing, the motorcyclists entered an S-curve on the highway and did not adjust accordingly. The motorcycle in front of the one Keys was riding on went off the road. 

The driver of her motorcycle stopped abruptly, Rohlfing said, causing Keys to knock the driver into the handlebars. The front wheel went sideways, causing the crash. 

Keys was not wearing a helmet, the sheriff said.

The Waterloo Fire Department and Monroe County EMS assisted as Survival Flight medical helicopter arrived to transport Keys to Sainr Louis University Hospital for treatment of serious injuries. 

She died five days later. 

Danny Keys, 57, of Dupo, was transported by ambulance to Mercy South in St. Louis County for injuries he sustained in the crash.

Lisa’s children are remembering her as a loving mother. 

“When I think of my mother, I think of home,” Kyle Luttrull, Lisa’s son, posted on Facebook. “I think of good times and great memories. It’s such a great feeling being around her positive atmosphere. Her reach knew no bounds. Her love flew far beyond any imagination.”

Lisa’s daughter, Danielle Stephens, agreed with that sentiment. 

“She was definitely a mom of moms,” Stephens said. “She knew what you needed before you knew you needed it. You could tell her one thing about how bad your day was going, and she knew just what to say to make it better.”

Lisa was employed at Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner Law Office as a legal secretary, according to her obituary. 

She enjoyed spending time with loved ones, reading, playing horseshoes, playing Bunco and watching “Game of Thrones.” 

“Lisa was the eye of the storm,” her obituary states. “She brought calm thoughts to any situation. She had the knowledge that everyone wanted, the answer to every question and the care everyone needed. If there were an angel to walk this earth, she would be the prime example.” 

Jennifer Keys, a niece, said Lisa was the type of person that made a huge impact on people’s lives.

“You were an amazing, beautiful, wonderful woman,” Keys wrote on Facebook. “You left a huge mark on many lives. Life will not be the same without you. While I am proud to have known you, I am humbled at how quickly you’ve gone from us.” 

Lisa’s sister, Jessica Kasch, also posted a farewell on Facebook. 

“If you didn’t know her, she was the most beautiful soul anyone would ever meet,” Kasch wrote. “Once she met you and liked you, you were family and there was nothing you could do about it. Once she knew you were hurting she was the first to try and help. If she knew you needed anything, she was there. Even when you didn’t know you needed it, she’d be there to tell you she loves you. She was the strongest woman in the world.” 

“This isn’t really a goodbye Lisa,” Kasch added. “You’re always going to be with us. I love you so much and would do anything for another sister night.”

Luttrull and Stephens said they will carry on their mother’s legacy. 

“You don’t realize how much you rely on a person until they’re not there to make that phone call no more,” Stephens said. “Everybody keeps telling me that I have been so strong, and it’s easy to be strong for a person who wouldn’t hesitate to do what you’re doing. It’s easy to make hard decisions when you already know the decision she would make.”

“I promise, I will live for you, try to be the rock you are and give peace to whoever needs it,” Luttrull posted. “This is going to be a long road for us, but I know you would want me to walk it the best way I could. I know I have you with me in my heart, and I know you want me to be happy. This is to you mom. I love you so damn much.”

In addition to these relatives, Keys is survived by her husband of 16 years, Joe Keys; father James Sides; sons Logan Augustine and James Augustine; stepsons Mark (Trista) Keys and Michael (Allie) Keys; grandchildren Lucas, Konnor, Lola, Abram, Lydia, Sawyer, Nick, Chris, Dylan and Mason; grandmother Lenora Dacus; sisters Kim Renfrow, Shana Smith and Danielle Owen; brother Tim Barbee and other relatives and friends.

Sixty-four friends and relatives have donated $2,680 for a celebration of life to be held in Lisa’s honor.

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James Moss

James is an alumni of Southern Illinois University Edwardsville where he graduated summa cum laude with degrees in mass communications and applied communications studies. While in school, he interned at two newspapers and worked at a local grocery store to pay for his education. When not working for the Republic-Times, he enjoys watching movies, reading, playing video games and spending time with his friends.
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