Marie McKee
Marie E. McKee, 94, of Waukon, formerly of Postville, died Tuesday, February 20, 2018 at Good Samaritan Center in Waukon. Funeral services were held Monday, February 26 at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Postville with Pastor Lynn Noel officiating. Burial took place at Postville Cemetery, Postville.
Marie Emeline Klees was born September 29, 1923 at Waukon, the daughter of Frank and Etta (Cowell) Klees. She grew up on the family farm near Rossville with her siblings, Ray, Paul and Clara. Marie was baptized at Volney Methodist Church in rural Monona and confirmed at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Lansing. She attended local grade school and high school in the Waukon area. Upon her graduation, Marie taught school in a multi-grade country school located in the area.
When WWII started, Marie worked in Rockford, IL for Woodward Government. After a short time working in Seattle, WA, Marie returned to Waukon and met Everett McKee, whose family had moved in down the road from the Klees family farm. Everett swept her off her feet and they were married November 19, 1947 at Our Savior's Lutheran Church in Lansing.
Thirteen months later, their first son, James E., was born, followed by John F. and Donald D. With the family complete and the family rental farm a success, it was time to buy land and push ahead. Everett and Marie purchased their family farm in rural Castalia and settled there for 14 years of raising their sons and growing the family farm.
In 1974, they retired to an acreage north of Postville called Durno Park. In 2007, Marie and Everett moved into a condo in Waukon. Marie lost her beloved husband, Everett, in 2011.
She was a member of St. Paul Lutheran Church. Marie enjoyed reading, baking and cooking for family and friends, playing cards with their four-couple card club, and crocheting mass quantities of eggs, table cloths, pot holders and several other items.
Survivors include her three sons: Jim (Deloras) of Brookhaven, MS, John (Sue) of Des Moines and Don of Manchester; eight grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; three very special nieces: Joan Ewing of Lansing, Mary Kruse-Emerson of Harpers Ferry and Phyllis Dymod of Phoenix, AZ; and two sisters-in-law: Leone McKee of Waukon and Florence McKee of Lansing. She is preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Everett; her brothers, Ray and Paul; a sister, Clara Kelly; and a daughter-in-law, Terri McKee.
Casketbearers were Alan and Brad Kamaus, Kevin and Ryan McKee, Chad Opfer, Frank Kelly, Tom Cerino and Bill Stanton.
Online condolences may be left at www.martinfunerals.com.
