Official Obituary of
Galen Douglas Kees
June 11, 1914 ~ August 17, 2017 (age 103) 103 Years Old
Galen Kees Obituary
LCDR USN (RET.) Galen Douglas Kees of Durand passed away on August 17, 2017 at the age of 103 years.
Galen was born on June 11, 1914 in Durand, WI to Henry and Theresa (Brantner) Kees. He graduated from Durand High School in 1931 and joined the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) doing forest and stream restoration in the Phillips, WI area. In 1934 he attended Stout Institute in Menomonie, WI and participated in boxing and football. In 1935 he joined the U.S. Navy and served for 21 years retiring with the rank of Lieutenant Commander. In 1937 he married Bertha Severson of Durand. For much of the following over twenty years, Bertha and their growing family of three sons and one daughter traveled from coast to coast as Galen continued his Navy career. Bertha passed away unexpectedly in 1989.
Galen's family includes: His sons, Glenn (Midge) Kees of Hudson, WI, James (Kathleen) Kees of Pewaukee, WI, Roger (Connie) Kees of Chippewa Falls, WI, and his daughter, Linda (Rex) Hoover of Durand, WI. He has 10 grandchildren, 18 great grandchildren and special friend, Larry Lawless. He also enjoyed being a member of the families of his later wives, both deceased: Vera Vradenberg and Jean Hoch. His special friend, Ellen Wieck, also deceased, was a much loved partner in his later years.
Galen's Navy career spanned 21 years and he served on several ships. In 1936, he was stationed on the USS Indianapolis during Franklin Roosevelt's Latin American goodwill tour. While on that tour, Galen was one of many seamen who celebrated their first crossing of the equator. Galen's Shellback Certificate, commemorating that crossing, is signed by FDR and was personally presented to him by the President. During World War II, he served aboard the USS Adonis, a landing craft repair ship supporting the invasion of Omaha Beach. After the war, he served on the East Coast, including tours in Newfoundland and Boston, MA which was the home port of his last ship, the USS Worcester, which made several tours of the North Atlantic and Mediterranean. When he retired in 1957, he was Commanding Officer of the Naval Reserve Training Center in West Palm Beach, Florida
After retirement the family returned to Durand and bought Galen's father's farm in the Bear Creek area. In addition to farming, Galen worked for a brief period for Gifford Mobile Feed Mill of Maxville, WI and later, based on his Navy training and experience, he became a master plumber and worked for Hurlburt Plumbing and Heating of Durand for many years and had his own independent plumbing business as well. He also was an inventor and holds several patents for archery devices and slingshots. He loved fishing and deer hunting. Galen was a founding member of Faith Lutheran Church in Durand.
The family requests that, in lieu of flowers, memorials be given to Faith Lutheran Church in Durand or to the Plum City Care Center in appreciation of their wonderful care.
Funeral services will be 11:00 am on Wednesday, August 23, 2017 at Faith Lutheran Church in Durand, WI with Pastor Valerie Peterson officiating. Burial with Military Rites will be at Forest Hill Cemetery in Durand. Friends may call one hour prior to services at the church on Wednesday. Goodrich Funeral Home in Durand is assisting the family. To express on-line condolences visit obituaries at www.goodrichfh.com
1032 Prissel Street
Durand, WI 54736
1032 Prissel Street
Durand, WI 54736
Galen was born on June 11, 1914 in Durand, WI to Henry and Theresa (Brantner) Kees. He graduated from Durand High School in 1931 and joined the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) doing forest and stream restoration in the Phillips, WI area. In 1934 he attended Stout Institute in Menomonie, WI and participated in boxing and football. In 1935 he joined the U.S. Navy and served for 21 years retiring with the rank of Lieutenant Commander. In 1937 he married Bertha Severson of Durand. For much of the following over twenty years, Bertha and their growing family of three sons and one daughter traveled from coast to coast as Galen continued his Navy career. Bertha passed away unexpectedly in 1989.
Galen's family includes: His sons, Glenn (Midge) Kees of Hudson, WI, James (Kathleen) Kees of Pewaukee, WI, Roger (Connie) Kees of Chippewa Falls, WI, and his daughter, Linda (Rex) Hoover of Durand, WI. He has 10 grandchildren, 18 great grandchildren and special friend, Larry Lawless. He also enjoyed being a member of the families of his later wives, both deceased: Vera Vradenberg and Jean Hoch. His special friend, Ellen Wieck, also deceased, was a much loved partner in his later years.
Galen's Navy career spanned 21 years and he served on several ships. In 1936, he was stationed on the USS Indianapolis during Franklin Roosevelt's Latin American goodwill tour. While on that tour, Galen was one of many seamen who celebrated their first crossing of the equator. Galen's Shellback Certificate, commemorating that crossing, is signed by FDR and was personally presented to him by the President. During World War II, he served aboard the USS Adonis, a landing craft repair ship supporting the invasion of Omaha Beach. After the war, he served on the East Coast, including tours in Newfoundland and Boston, MA which was the home port of his last ship, the USS Worcester, which made several tours of the North Atlantic and Mediterranean. When he retired in 1957, he was Commanding Officer of the Naval Reserve Training Center in West Palm Beach, Florida
After retirement the family returned to Durand and bought Galen's father's farm in the Bear Creek area. In addition to farming, Galen worked for a brief period for Gifford Mobile Feed Mill of Maxville, WI and later, based on his Navy training and experience, he became a master plumber and worked for Hurlburt Plumbing and Heating of Durand for many years and had his own independent plumbing business as well. He also was an inventor and holds several patents for archery devices and slingshots. He loved fishing and deer hunting. Galen was a founding member of Faith Lutheran Church in Durand.
The family requests that, in lieu of flowers, memorials be given to Faith Lutheran Church in Durand or to the Plum City Care Center in appreciation of their wonderful care.
Funeral services will be 11:00 am on Wednesday, August 23, 2017 at Faith Lutheran Church in Durand, WI with Pastor Valerie Peterson officiating. Burial with Military Rites will be at Forest Hill Cemetery in Durand. Friends may call one hour prior to services at the church on Wednesday. Goodrich Funeral Home in Durand is assisting the family. To express on-line condolences visit obituaries at www.goodrichfh.com
Service
AUG 23. 11:00 AM (CDT)
Faith Lutheran Church1032 Prissel Street
Durand, WI 54736
Visitation
AUG 23. 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM (CDT)
Faith Lutheran Church1032 Prissel Street
Durand, WI 54736
To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Galen Douglas Kees, please visit our floral store.
Friends and family have shared their relationship to show their support.
How do you know Galen Douglas Kees?
We are sorry for your loss.
Help others honor Galen's memory.
Email
Print
Copy
Services
You can still show your support by sending flowers directly to the family, or by planting a memorial tree in the memory of Galen Douglas Kees
© 2024 Goodrich Funeral Home. All Rights Reserved. Funeral Home website by CFS & TA | Terms of Use | Privacy Policy | Accessibility