Wally Mckee

Wallace "Wally" J. McKee, 99, Rosholt, SD, passed away Thursday, October 9, 2014, at the Northeast Care and Rehabilitation Center in Rosholt.

Funeral services were Wednesday, October 15, at 10:30 a.m. at Bethania Lutheran Church in Rosholt with Rev. Nancy Quatier officiating. Music was provided by organist Lana Sand.

Burial was in the Trondhjem Lutheran Cemetery, rural Rosholt. Military honors were provided by the Read-Veflin American Legion Post 180 of New Effington. Honorary urn bearers were members of the Rosholt Area Threshermen's Association and the NE Care Center staff and residents. Active urn bearers were Wally's grandchildren, Jeff Wagner, Jill Wika, Mike Wagner, Robin Hartle, Shon McKee and Staci McKee.

Visitation was Tuesday from 4:30 to 7:00 p.m. at the Eggers Funeral Home in Rosholt.

Wallace James McKee was born January 30, 1915, to Albert and Martha (Felling) McKee in Browns Valley, MN. He attended rural school in Traverse County through the eighth grade and then helped on the family farm. He then worked for the WPA shoveling gravel.

On July 1, 1938, Wally married Ardyce Miller. To this union three children were born, Harriet, James and Russell.

On May 24, 1945, Wally entered the U.S. Army and served in Germany. For his service he earned the Army of Occupation Medal, Germany and an Overseas Service Bar. He was honorably discharged July 9, 1946.

After returning home from the military, Wally worked for the Browns Valley Creamery picking up cream and eggs from area farmers. With his brother Clarence, he then opened a meat locker plant in Browns Valley which they operated for seven years.

In 1952, Wally and Ardyce began farming on the Hansen homestead on the west side of Dry Run. They farmed several farms in Roberts County until semi-retiring in 1977. They later moved into Rosholt and Wally continued to help area farmers for over 30 years, well into his 90s. Wally was a member of the Rosholt Threshermen's Association and spent many years in "Wally's Shop" at the threshing grounds.

Wally and Ardyce celebrated 74 years of marriage before she passed away October 7, 2012. Wally rarely missed a day visiting Ardyce while she was in the Care Center. Wally made his home in the Rosholt Care Center in the fall of 2013.

Wally was a 70 year member of the Read-Veflin American Legion Post 180 of New Effington and belonged to the Trondhjem and Bethania Lutheran churches. He enjoyed woodworking, fishing and was always proud of his Irish heritage. Wally was a salt of the earth kind of man. He was a respected and honest man whose word or handshake was a bond.

Survivors include his daughter, Harriet (Tom) Wagner of Rosholt; sons, James (Donna) McKee of Watertown and Russell (Sharon) McKee of Claire City, SD; six grandchildren, Jeff (Val) Wagner of Mondovi, WI, Jill (Scott) Wika of Aberdeen, SD, Mike (Coleen) Wagner of Rapid City, SD, Robin (Jim) Hartle of Germany, Shon McKee of Las Vegas, NV, and Staci McKee of Washington, DC; and nine great-grandchildren.

Wally was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Ardyce; brothers, Clarence and Lewis; and sister, Evelyn.