Lowell Lee Kees

On May 30th, Lowell Lee Kees, of River Falls, WI., passed away peacefully at home with his beloved wife Mary and son Ian at his side after a courageous, sometimes scary and inspiring battle with a brain tumor. Lowell was born on December 14, 1946 in Durand, WI to William and Theone (Rustad) Kees. Lowell was raised on the Maxville Prairie farm just South of Durand with nine brothers and sisters: Billy, Sally, Nancy, John, Curt, Roberta, Robert, Candace and Bruce. He had at least one additional sibling that died shortly after birth. Although his family was short on many things, they managed to have a happy and adventurous life, even while living in a tiny three-bedroom,1 bathroom house. Although the inside was small, the outside was large, and populated by cows, pigs, chickens and about 50 acres of pretty miserable crop land and about 150 acres of woods and hills to explore.

As a child Lowell loved to fish, hunt, play cards, go to school, help out on the farm and spend time with his family and friends. In his youth, his first job was mowing at the Maxville Prairie cemetery and then working family farms. He was a well- mannered, respectful and accountable kid. Many of his childhood friends have shared that he was always someone that you wanted on your team or school project. Lowell attended the University of Wisconsin, Eau Claire and majored in biology and education, receiving his Bachelor’s degree in 1968. Lowell met the love of his life Mary (Bushland) in Hayward during his college sophomore summer when he worked at the Super-19 drive in hamburger joint. They married on March 9, 1968 at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Menomonee. This marraige produced 3 kids in three years: Erik, Kealynn and Ian.

Lowell, a lifetime learner, exhibited a thirst for knowledge and modeled the wonder of inquisitiveness. He eagerly studied many fields with primarily a science focus, earning a master’s degree plus 90 credits from UW River in 1976. Lowell enjoyed a 24year career as a Hudson junior high and middle school science teacher, thoroughly loving his students and the wonderful colleagues he enjoyed every day. He managed to motivate and encourage his many thousands of students over the years. His commitment was recognized with department appointments, teacher of the year awards, including being awarded the Hudson STAR Excellence by the Hudson Education Foundation in 1998. Lowell had a summer painting business, with his good friend Ron Forehand painting over 100 houses in the local area. He managed to still make time to camp, fish and hunt with his family and friends. He was passionate about experiencing God’s creation outdoors, spending much of his life gardening on his acre of land behind the house. He liked planting many species of trees. Lowell established and grew many friendships and supported his friends however possible. Lowell showed his commitment to this community by always being there to lend a hand no matter how busy or exhausted he was.

Lowell’s career as a junior high/middle school science teacher was tragically cut short at the age of 45, when, following a routine outpatient surgery to repair a deviated septum, he suffered a massive stroke. Post stroke years were spent learning to talk, walk, read and drive. He pushed himself to build up endurance which enabled him to get back in the woods to hunt with a pistol and crossbow, and fish on some of his favorite trout streams. The perseverance to acquire lost skills enabled him future opportunities, one being, to totally enjoy his only granddaughter, Marin. In addition, on his 50th birthday, Mary gave him 25 acres of land in Stone Lake. In 2015 he built the cabin of his dreams and over the past ten years so enjoyed taking his side by side on rides throughout the trails on the property, pontooning on the lake, mowing lawn, entertaining guests and living cabin life in and amongst mother nature. Lowell and Mary then became members of the Stone Lake Lions. Lowell and Mary have been long term members of the First Lutheran Church in Hayward. In honor of his final wishes, Lowell’s remains will be spread across his garden, his favorite fishing holes and favorite hiking/hunting hills and at the family’s lake cabin.

Lowell is survived by his wife Mary who never left his side and never stopped advocating and caring for him; his daughter Kealynn of New York; his son Ian and granddaughter Marin Kees of Minneapolis; along with Ian’s fiance Brenda Partlow and children Jack and Ella. He is survived by his brother and sister in-law Forrest and Kathryn Bushland of Minong (19 nieces and nephews and great nieces and nephews); deceased brother Bill Kees family (17 ); sister Sally Weisenbeck of Durand (42); sister Nancy Johnson of Eau Claire (50); brother John Kees of River Falls (11); Brother Curt Kees of Missouri (4); Sister-in-law Verona Kees of Scandia, Sister Roberta and husband Rod Bauer of Birchwood (9); Brother Bob and wife Helen Kees of Durand (4); sister Candace and husband Tom Harris of Eleva (17); Brother Bruce Kees of Durand (6) and Sister-in-law Julie Kees (a total of 179 nieces and nephews and great nieces and nephews)!.

Preceded in joining the Lord: son Erik Lowell Kees on April 11, 2020; mother and father William and Theone Kees; Father and Mother in Law, Lloyd and Irene (Kies) Bushland; Brother Bill and sister in law Zona Kees; Brother in Law, Dean Johnson; Brother in law, Charles Weisenbeck; Sister in law Beverly Kees; Sister in law Betty Kees; Nephew Bernard Weisenbeck (16); Amanda Milliron (2); Jaidyn Andrus (5); baby John Weisenbeck (1day); Enola Weisenbeck (premature baby); Sister Nancy’s son in law, Dick Johnson.

In lieu of flowers, the family would like to distribute any donations made to the family to cancer research.

“A celebration of life of an extraordinary life well lived” will be held on Thursday June 5th from 4:30-8:30 at the O’Connell Funeral Home, 520 11th Street South Hudson WI. Pie and coffee Visitation will begin at 4:30 to 6:45 with a Christian service at 7:00 -7:45, with Pastor Steve Meyer officiating, and final visitation to close. His funeral service will be held on Saturday June 7th at First Lutheran Church 10680 Main Street Hayward WI., with Pastor Joel Bacon officiating. Visitation will be from 10 until, service from 11 until noon and luncheon to follow.