Source: National Cemetery Administration · cem.va.gov · scraped May 2026
History of Keokuk National Cemetery
Until 1837, the sole inhabitants of the area that is now the town of Keokuk, IA, were members of the Sauk and Fox tribes. In 1837, however, the tribes agreed to a treaty that allowed limited settlement of white farmers. Shortly after the treaty went into effect, white settlers began to migrate into the area. But the greatest number of settlers did not arrive until 1842 when a second treaty compelled the Fox and Sauk to move farther west. The treaty would go into effect in May 1842, although white settlers had begun camping along the county border a month earlier. Subsequently, at one minute after midnight on May 1, anxious settlers rushed in to stake their land claims.
By the beginning of the Civil War, Keokuk was home to a population of approximately 13,000 people. Its location, at the confluence of the Des Moines and Mississippi rivers, made an ideal location for the transportation of produce for the war. The first Civil War facility in Iowa was Camp Ellsworth, located near Keokuk, where troops were mustered as early as May 1861. More posts, including Camps Rankin, Halleck and Lincoln were established in 1861 and 1862. As the war progressed, five Army hospitals were established in the area to help care for the thousands of sick and wounded soldiers transported up the Mississippi River from Southern battlefields. Most of the original interments at Keokuk National Cemetery came from these hospitals.
The 2.75-acre Keokuk National Cemetery was originally a part of Oakland Cemetery until the city donated the land to the U.S. government in the mid 19th-century. According to an 1871 inspection report, just after the Civil War there were 627 interments; 600 known Union soldiers and 27 unknown soldiers. Not mentioned in the report were the remains of eight Confederate soldiers buried at the national cemetery, who died in Keokuk as prisoners of war.
In 1908, when the frontier post of Fort Yates, ND, was abandoned, the remains buried at this post cemetery were reinterred at Keokuk. Similarly, in 1948, 156 bodies removed from the post cemetery at Des Moines, IA, were reinterred here.
Keokuk National Cemetery was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1997.
Monuments and Memorials The Unknown Soldiers monument was erected in 1912 by the Women's Corps of Keokuk in honor of 48 unknown soldiers buried at the cemetery. The monument is a large granite obelisk topped with the figure of a Union soldier standing at parade rest.
The American War Dads and Auxiliaries of Iowa erected a bronze wreath dedicated to Unknown Soldiers. Date of dedication is unknown.
Notable interments
Veterans, public figures, and citizens of note buried at Keokuk National Cemetery, listed by section and site as recorded by the National Cemetery Administration.
Medal of Honor The Medal of Honor is the highest award for valor in action against an enemy force that can be bestowed upon an individual serving in the Armed Services of the United States.
Recipients receive the Medal of Honor from the President on behalf of Congress. It was first awarded during the Civil War and the eligibility criteria, medal design, and recognition on a recipients' grave marker have all evolved over time. There are 434 Medal of Honor recipients interred at VA national cemeteries including 6 double recipients.
» Medal of Honor recipients interred or memorialized here:
Private First Class John F.
Thorson (World War II). He received the Medal of Honor posthumously for service in the U.S. Army, Company G, 17th Infantry, 7th Infantry Division, in recognition of courage and self-sacrifice in the attack on Dagami, Leyte, Philippine Islands, October 28, 1944. Thorson is buried in Section D, Site 71.
Other Burials
Born in Cork, Ireland, Michael Crowe (1849–1883) emigrated to New York as a young man and enlisted in the U.S.
Army in 1867. Initially Private Crowe served with the 34th Infantry as a wagoneer, then he transferred to the 7th Cavalry just before the Great Sioux War of 1876 in which Sioux and Cheyenne Indian tribes engaged federal troops to preserve their culture and lands in the Black Hills. On June 25–26, the 7th U.S. Cavalry, under the command of Lt. Col. George Armstrong Custer, took the offensive. In the infamous Battle of Little Bighorn, Custer and one-third of his men died. Crowe survived and remained in the army until his death in 1883. Pvt. Crowe was buried in the post cemetery at Fort Yates (ND), which was decommissioned in 1903; in 1908 his remains were reinterred in Keokuk National Cemetery .
Section H, Site 796
First Sergeant Columbus H.
McCaa, Troop G, 1st U.S. Volunteer Cavalry – Date of Death July 6, 1946 . First Sergeant McCaa, a member of Teddy Roosevelt's Rough Riders, participated in the San Juan Hill Campaign.
Section H, Site 1151
Eligibility for burial at Keokuk National Cemetery
Planning ahead for a Veteran's or loved-one's final resting place can eliminate unnecessary delays and reduce stress on a family at a difficult time.
Request eligibility status for:
Veteran or servicemember Spouse Dependent family member Apply online »
Burial in a VA national cemetery is open to all members of the armed forces who have met a minimum active duty service requirement and were discharged under conditions other than dishonorable.
Directions
The nearest commercial airport is the Quincy, IL airport. From the airport, turn right onto Route 104, take 104 to Route 96. Follow Route 96 from Quincy to Hamilton, IL (35 miles). At the intersections of Routes 96 and 136, turn left. Follow Route 136 for approximately 1.5 miles, cross the Mississippi River; the City of Keokuk begins here. Continue through Keokuk on Main Street, which is also Highway 218/61, to the intersection of Main and 18th street, turn left on 18th Street. The street ends at the original section of Keokuk National Cemetery. Continue through the adjacent Oakland Cemetery to the first left. The Western section and administration building are at the next left.
Floral and grounds policy
Cemetery policies are conspicuously posted and readily visible to the public.
Floral Arrangements: Floral arrangements accompanying the casket or urn at the time of burial will be placed on the completed grave. They will be removed when they become unsightly or when it becomes necessary to facilitate cemetery operations such as mowing.
Weapons policy
VA regulations 38 CFR 1.218 prohibit the carrying of firearms (either openly or concealed), explosives or other dangerous or deadly weapons while on VA property, except for official purposes, such as military funeral honors.
Possession of firearms on any property under the charge and control of VA is prohibited. Offenders may be subject to a fine, removal from the premises, or arrest.
Education and visiting programs
More than half of VA's national cemeteries originated with the Civil War and many are closed to some burials. Other sites were established to serve World War veterans and they continue to expand. Historic themes related with NCA's cemeteries and soldiers' lots vary, but visitors should understand "Why is it here?" NCA began by installing interpretive signs, or waysides, at more than 100 properties to observe the Civil War Sesquicentennial (2011–2015). Please follow the links below to see the interpretive signs for Keokuk National Cemetery.
A National Cemetery System Keokuk National Cemetery Visit the Veterans Legacy Program and NCA History Program for additional information. Thank you for your interest.
Nearest cemeteries
The three closest veteran cemeteries to Keokuk National Cemetery (by straight-line distance):
- Keokuk National Cemetery Annex — Keokuk, IA (0 mi · open)
- Sunset Veterans Cemetery — Quincy, IL (31 mi · open)
- Quincy National Cemetery — Quincy, IL (32 mi · closed)
Nearby veteran-friendly funeral homes
The following funeral homes within a 50-mile radius of Keokuk National Cemetery have demonstrated a commitment to serving veterans through specialized services, VA benefits coordination, or dedicated honors details.
Dejong-Greaves Celebration Of Life Center & Mortuary is a premier funeral home located at 1212 Concert St. in Keokuk, IA. The property features well-appointed spaces including expansive chapel, large family room, and sitting area. Professional offerings include personalization, honoring veterans, and preplan online, handled with the utmost care by their licensed directors. General services start at $2,795. For families preferring a traditional approach, basic burial services begin at $3,420, while direct cremation is available from $2,795. The standard basic services fee for the funeral director and staff is $2,895. Additional typical expenses include embalming ($695) and use of facilities for viewing ($350). The staff is experienced in coordinating with various faith traditions, specifically Christian and All faiths served.
Printy Funeral Home is a premier funeral home located at 720 Main Street in Hamilton, IL. The property features well-appointed spaces including chapel, family room, and sitting area. Professional offerings include personalized funeral services, burial services, and cremation services, handled with the utmost care by their licensed directors. General services start at $2,495. For families preferring a traditional approach, basic burial services begin at $5,995, while direct cremation is available from $2,495. The staff is experienced in coordinating with various faith traditions, specifically Christian (various denominations) and Catholic.
Lunning Chapel Inc is a premier funeral home located at 2620 Mount Pleasant Street in Burlington, IA. The property features well-appointed spaces including funeral home, chapel, and reception hall. Professional offerings include personalized services, service options, and honoring veterans, handled with the utmost care by their licensed directors. General services start at $3,385. For families preferring a traditional approach, basic burial services begin at $5,985, while direct cremation is available from $3,385. The staff is experienced in coordinating with various faith traditions, specifically Catholic and Church of the Nazarene.
Prugh Funeral Service is a premier funeral home located at 3940 Division Street in Burlington, IA. The property features well-appointed spaces including 3940 division street location, 317 n. 4th street location, and on-site crematory. Professional offerings include at-need services, pre-arrangement services, and transfer existing pre-arrangements, handled with the utmost care by their licensed directors. General services start at $3,055. For families preferring a traditional approach, basic burial services begin at $6,350, while direct cremation is available from $3,055. The staff is experienced in coordinating with various faith traditions, specifically Catholic, Christian (Disciples of Christ), Presbyterian, Church of the Nazarene, and Baptist.
Elliott Chapel is a premier funeral home located at One Redbud Lane in New London, IA. The property features well-appointed spaces including chapel and columbarium. Professional offerings include personalized services, veteran services, and cremation, handled with the utmost care by their licensed directors. General services start at $3,385. For families preferring a traditional approach, basic burial services begin at $5,985, while direct cremation is available from $3,385. The firm's dedication to service is reflected in their 5.0-star Google rating across 4 reviews.
Duker & Haugh Funeral Home is a premier funeral home located at 823 Broadway Street in Quincy, IL. The property features well-appointed spaces including pre-arrangement center. Professional offerings include funeral services, pre-planning, and funeral trust agreements, handled with the utmost care by their licensed directors. General services start at $2,575. For families preferring a traditional approach, basic burial services begin at $4,800, while direct cremation is available from $2,575. The staff is experienced in coordinating with various faith traditions, specifically Catholic, Christian, and Methodist.
Hansen-Spear Funeral Directors, Ltd is a premier funeral home located at 1535 State Street in Quincy, IL. The property features well-appointed spaces including funeral chapel, visitation parlors, and handicapped accessible. Professional offerings include pre-planning, grief support, and traditional funeral, handled with the utmost care by their licensed directors. General services start at $4,440. For families preferring a traditional approach, basic burial services begin at $7,215, while direct cremation is available from $4,440. The staff is experienced in coordinating with various faith traditions, specifically Lutheran, Anglican, Catholic, Hinduism (cremation mandated), Jainism (cremation mandated), Sikhism (cremation mandated), Buddhism (cremation mandated), Islam (cremation forbidden), and Orthodox Judaism (cremation forbidden). The firm's dedication to service is reflected in their 5.0-star Google rating across 19 reviews.
Murphy Funeral Home is a premier funeral home located at 408 North Broadway Street in Mt Pleasant, IA. The property features well-appointed spaces including funeral home. Professional offerings include traditional religious services, cremation services, and monument sales, handled with the utmost care by their licensed directors. General services start at $2,135. For families preferring a traditional approach, basic burial services begin at $5,035, while direct cremation is available from $2,135. The staff is experienced in coordinating with various faith traditions, specifically Baptist, Lutheran, Methodist, Catholic, Open Bible, and Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.