Joseph Neal McKee “Joe”, 42, of Lansing, passed away Friday, August 18, 2017. He was born on November 14, 1974 at the Gundersen hospital in LaCrosse, Wisconsin. Joe was welcomed into our world by his parents Sandra Jane (Klees) and James Louis McKee of Lansing, Iowa.
Joe graduated from Lansing Kee High School in May 1993. After graduation Joe went to work for Jack Heffernan milking cows and helping on the farm along with Brennan Construction and had the opportunity to work on the Black Hawk Bridge that crosses the Mississippi River in Lansing. Joe also worked road construction for Fred Carlson Company – Knife River Company and most recently was working for Walleser Excavating & Concrete. He enjoyed the work, but was a farmer at heart. Joe was able to farm the Knopf home farm and was living his dream with the help of his Great Uncle Cyril Knopf.
Growing up and still today Joe’s family was a huge part of his life. From his Aunts, Uncles, and cousins on both the McKee and Klees sides, who influenced the man he became. He also loved to spend time with his brothers, nephews and nieces whom he relentlessly picked on. Most recently he enjoyed to spend time with the love of his life, Nikki, and her son Dillon with whom he quickly became two peas in a pod with.
Joe enjoyed the outdoors: fishing, hunting and trapping, most often, with his lifelong neighbors and brothers. Card playing was also a huge part his life that led to many shenanigans.
Joe was the type of man who would share anything he had and was called to heaven too early. Joe will forever be in our hearts! In his own words “Cya Bye”.
Joe was preceded in death by his Mom, Sandra (Klees) McKee; his infant sister, Claire; his grandparents, Paul and Coral Klees and Richard and Evelyn McKee; his God parents, Dixie and Albert Keenan; his uncles, Samuel Klees and Tom McKee; great uncle, Cyril Knopf and cousin, Richard (Richie) McKee.
Joe is survived by his girlfriend, Nikki and her son Dillon of Brooklyn, Iowa; his father, Jim (Donna) McKee of Necedah, Wisconsin; his brothers, Brian (Krista) McKee of Waukon, Peter (Jackie) McKee, Matthew (Brittany) McKee both of Lansing; his nephews, Wesley McKee, Jacob McKee, Damon Weber and Braden Hilleshiem; his nieces, Alyssa Hilleshiem and Mallory McKee. Along with many Aunts, Uncles and cousins.
A celebration of life for Joe will take place Friday, September 1, 2017 at TJ Hunter’s Banquet Hall in Lansing, Iowa from 4:00 pm until close.
Any cards of condolences can be sent to Brian & Krista McKee 19 3rd Ave NE Waukon, IA 52172.
Thornburg-Grau Funeral Home and Cremation Service, Lansing, Iowa is helping the family with the arrangements.