Germaine "Gerry" Frances McKee

            Germaine (Gerry) Frances (Vogel) McKee, 88, passed away on Thursday, July 1 at Nevada Regional Medical Center.  She was born on September 23, 1932 to Henry Vogel and Irene (Stapf) Vogel in Germantown, Missouri.  Gerry attended St. Mary's grade school in Montrose, Missouri and high school at St. Francis Academy in Nevada, Missouri, graduating in 1950.  She always enjoyed telling stories about those school years.  Upon graduating, Gerry began her career as a telephone operator and supervisor, working for The Bell Telephone company in Nevada, Missouri, Chicago, Illinois and Phoenix, Arizona. 

            Gerry married Howard McKee in 1955 in Chicago Illinois.   After a few years they returned to Nevada where their two daughters were born.  After living in Phoenix, Arizona for a short time, they permanently settled in Nevada where Howard worked in the trucking business.     When the Bell Telephone location in Nevada moved, Gerry enjoyed over forty years of employment as a switchboard operator at the Nevada State School and Hospital.  She made many good friends and always looked forward to her job.  Howard and Gerry spent retirement years at their home in Stockton, Missouri.

            She loved her time and many activities with family and friends.  She and Howard made many visiting trips to Phoenix, New Mexico and California.  She and her daughter, Cela traveled for thirty-three years in the United States, Canada and Europe.  Being near to and watching her grandchildren and great-grandchildren grow and learn were her great joy.  Gerry loved being around people and sharing life stories.

            Gerry was preceded in death by her husband, Howard McKee; brother, Thomas Vogel

and nephew, Michael Vogel.  She is survived by daughters, Cela Sullivan (John) Kansas City, Marian Erwin (Russ) Nevada, granddaughters, Robin Williams (Clinton) Nevada, Ashton Tidemann (Bradley) Wichita, grandson, Bradley Erwin, Baltimore, five great-grandchildren,

Jacey Williams, Emrey Williams, Aven Williams, Stella Tidemann and Kutter-Buck Tidemann, two nieces, Gail Current, Gower MO, Mindy Garcia, Tulsa OK and nephew, Gregory Slad Motley MN. 

            A rosary and visitation will be held on July 17 from 1:00-2:30 at Ferry Funeral Home, Nevada, Missouri.  Graveside services will be at 3:00 at Mt. Calvary Cemetery, Nevada, Missouri. 

     Memorial donations may be made to the Moss House or the Nevada R-5 Foundation.

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