Steven M. McKee, age 51 of Hanover, passed away on Sunday, December 7. Mass of Christian Burial for Steven will be Friday, December 12 at 11 a.m. with visitation one hour prior to the service at St. Michael Catholic Church in St. Michael. Visitation will also be Thursday, December 11 from 4-8 p.m. also at St. Michael Catholic Church in St. Michael. Interment will be at the St. Michael Catholic Cemetery. A Memorial Fund for the boys has been set up at First American Bank, 12725 43rd St NE, St. Michael MN (763) 497-7777.
The world has lost a Great Man. God gave his toughest battles to his toughest soldiers. I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith - Timothy 4:7
Steven Michael McKee, age 51, of Hanover, Minnesota passed away at his home on Sunday, December 7, 2014 after his 23 month battle of a rare form of cancer. He was surrounded by his family and passed peacefully in his favorite leather chair. Steve graduated from Benilde Saint Margaret High School and Saint Cloud State. While he was in his early 30's he married his wonderful wife Nina. He worked in the oil/fuel industry after college and ended up his career working at Dehn Oil, a phenomenal employer.
Steve's sons, at an early age, became involved with wrestling. This was the kinda thing they did as a family, like a hobby. Thus began a long passionate road for the McKee family of wrestling throughout the US.
People were drawn to Steve, his energy, smile, sense of humor, positive attitude and spirit. Steve was someone that could walk into a room of strangers and come out with many friends. He always had a smile on his face and made everyone around him smile also. Steve certainly showed us life is to be lived and smiles are to be given no matter the circumstance. Steve's energy, positivity and spirit lives on in his loving family, the many young men he has coached over the years and the lucky ones like the STMA wrestling community were blessed to call him a friend.
When Steve coached youth sports, he believed in the talent and ability of each and every player.
Hunting, golfing, fishing and being at the lake were his other passions. Steve believed, It is not the length of life, but the depth of life.
Cancer came knocking at his door on February 20, 2013. A rare form of cancer, Chondrosarcoma, was the diagnosis. The prognosis was dismal but to Steve it was just another hurdle in life to address. Time fell short of what he would have liked it to be. His tumors were donated to Sarcoma Research at the Mayo Clinic.
He is survived by his wife, Nina, and his two sons, Mitchell (16)and Patrick(15). He is also survived by his parents, Robert and Wanda McKee of Pequot Lakes, MN, his brother, Michael McKee and fiance' Becky Wallace of Maple Grove, MN, sisters, Sheri (Wally) Shelstad of Buffalo, MN, Judy McKee of Little Canada, MN, Laurie McKee of Plymouth, MN and long time friend David Daniels of Maple Grove, MN. He was preceded in death by his sister, Susan McKee.
The Peterson Chapel of St. Michael assisted the family with arrangements.
