Evelyn McKee

Evelyn R. McKee, 93, of Lansing passed away Thursday, January 16, 2014 at Thornton Manor in Lansing. A Mass of Christian Burial was held Monday, January 20 at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Lansing, with Rev. John Moser as the celebrant. Interment was held at the Gethsemane Cemetery in Lansing.
Evelyn Rose, the daughter of Louis and Anna (Wendler) Knopf, was born August 1, 1920 in Lansing. Evelyn attended Faegre Prairie School through the eighth grade. She was united in marriage with Richard J. McKee September 29, 1941 and to this union seven children were born. After her children were older, Evelyn worked for the Lansing Button Factory for 17 years.
Evelyn enjoyed Euchre tournaments and card club. She liked playing checkers and mill with her family, enjoyed puzzles and playing Solitaire. She gardened, gathered berries and nuts from the woods, watercress from the streams, and canned her produce. She baked many loaves of homemade bread, pies, and cookies for family and friends. She sewed comforter blankets and crocheted blankets for her grandchildren. She raised steers, geese, sheep, chickens, and she milked a cow named “Sunshine.”

Evelyn is survived by her children, Carolyn Russell of Mazomanie, WI, Jim McKee of Lansing, Rita (Bruce Clark) of Tomah, WI, Roy (Mary) McKee of Lansing, Bob (Diane) McKee of DeSoto, WI, Tom McKee of Lansing, and Donnie (Anita Loveless) McKee of Lansing; 18 grandchildren; 24 great-grandchildren; seven great-great-grandchildren; her brother, Cyril Knopf, and her sister, Rosemary Knopf, both of Lansing.
Evelyn was preceded in death by her husband, Richard, who died in 1984; her grandson, Richie McKee, who died in 2012; her daughter-in-law, Sandy McKee, who died in 2008; her parents; and six siblings.
Thornburg-Grau Funeral Home and Cremation Service of Lansing is in charge of arrangements. Condolences may be left at www.graufuneralhomes.com.