Margaret McKee
Margaret McKee
Margaret McKee
February 26, 1936 – July 26, 2012
University Park, Iowa
Visitation: will begin at 10 a.m., Monday morning, July 30, 2012 at Garland-Van Arkel-Langkamp Funeral Chapel. The family will be present from 5 – 7 p.m. to greet visitors.
Funeral Service: 10:30 a.m., Tuesday morning, July 31, 2012 at The Gateway Church of the Nazarene with Pastor Mark Miller, Pastor Bill Tvedt and Pastor Ralph Sprunk officiating.
Interment: Forest Cemetery in Oskaloosa, Iowa.
Rusty went home to her Savior, July 26, 2012, at her home at the age of 76 years and five months.
Margaret Ellen McKee, daughter of James Dwight & Harriett Lucille Neff Picken, was born, February 26, 1936, in Oskaloosa, Iowa. She was raised on the family farm near Cedar and as an only child helped her parents with the many farming chores. She played basketball for the Cedar Consolidated Schools, where she graduated in 1953. While in high school, Rusty worked as a nurse’s aid at Mahaska County Hospital; a first job that would take her down a life-long path of serving and caring. She attended nursing school at St. Joseph School of Nursing in Ottumwa, where she given the name “Rusty” because of her long red hair. She graduated in 1959. She worked in Ottumwa briefly before moving to California. While in California, Rusty met Howard Edwin McKee of Montezuma, Iowa, they married in 1963. They lived in several communities in California and Rusty worked at numerous hospitals. In 1976, Rusty and her three children returned to Iowa to the family farm near Fremont and in 1980, she moved to her home in University Park. Over the years, she worked at the Knoxville veteran’s hospital, Mahaska County Hospital, Oskaloosa Home Health Care and lastly at Iowa Methodist Medical Center, from which she retired in 1998.
Rusty’s passion in life was Jesus Christ and living out His love to many people near and far. Rusty was a member of the Gateway Church of the Nazarene, she attended mid-week services at the Jubilee Family Church and Sunday evening services at the Omega Church. Following her retirement, Rusty volunteered at the homeless shelter in Oskaloosa and drove many friends to doctor appointments in Iowa City and Des Moines. She sponsored children in India and Equador for many years and corresponded with them regularly. Rusty helped raised two grandchildren and at the time of her death, they were on a mission trip, which she made possible.
Her family includes her two sons: Michael (Catherine) McKee of Des Moines and their children: Megan, Brandon, Nathan, Ryan and Mary; son, Aaron (Kara) McKee of Odell, ILL and their children: Kelsey, Kaitlynn, Jamie, and Karson; and daughter, Laura McKee of University Park and her children: Madison and Josiah. Rusty was preceded in death by her parents.
Memorials may be made to the Gateway Church of the Nazarene and will be designated by her children at a later time.
