Obituary of Helen D. McKee

Helen D. McKee, 91, passed away on Monday morning, April 11, 2011, at her home in Newton. Funeral services for Helen will be 10:30 a.m. Thursday, April 14, 2011, at the First Lutheran Church in Newton. Pence~Reese Funeral Home in Newton have been entrusted with the arrangements. A visitation with the family will be held 5 p.m. until 7 p.m. Wednesday, April 13, at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers: memorials in Helen's name are being designated to the First Lutheran Church or Newton Community Education Foundation. Burial will be in the Newton Union Cemetery. Helen, the daughter of Henry and Katherine (Diehm) Tinnermeier, was born April 1, 1920, rural Newton. She was a graduate of the Newton Senior High School, and graduated from Northern Iowa Teachers College in Cedar Falls and Drake University. On July 6, 1941, Helen was united in marriage with William Franklin "Bill" McKee at St. John's Church in rural Newton. She had taught for many years in the Newton School System, at Washington Elementary and Berg Elementary, retiring in 1983. Helen had devoted her life to her family, and was a member of the First Lutheran Church, Good Cheer Club, P.E.O. Chapter ME, Newton Retired Teachers Association and Jasper County Historical Society. Helen was preceded in death by her parents; her husband Bill on January 17, 2004; her four brothers: Harry, Carl, Leonard and Lester; and her only sister Frances. Those left to honor Helen's memory include her son and daughter-in-law, Stephen W. and Valerie McKee of Newton; her daughter and son-in-law, Katherine A. and Joseph Reardon of Des Moines; three grandchildren: Craig McKee, Alexander Reardon and Emily Reardon; several nieces and nephews, including a special niece Linda Larson; and many friends. Calling hours will be Wednesday with the family from 5 - 7pm at Pence ~ Reese Funeral Home, 310 N. 2nd Ave. E., Newton, IA. The funeral will be Thursday at 10:30 at First Lutheran Church, 309 E. 3rd Street N., Newton with Rev. Howard Vrankin officiating. Burial will be in Newton Union Cemetery.