Cellie Klee, 90, passed away Wednesday, July 30, 2014, at her home on Council Grove City Lake, surrounded by her family. She was born on October 20, 1923 to Alice and Matthias Hermann on a farm outside Downer's Grove, Illinois. She graduated from Downer's Grove High School. Cellie then joined the work force, eventually taking a position which she greatly enjoyed, working in personnel with students at the General Motors Institute.
On November 26, 1949, in Downers Grove, Illinois, she married Maurice Klee, a young General Motors engineer. Cellie and her husband lived in several cities in the Midwest, including Davenport and Burlington, Iowa, finally retiring in Council Grove. The couple had six children.
In addition to her devotion to her family, Cellie gave 30 years of service to BirthRite. She also volunteered in the local schools. In Burlington, Iowa, she worked with the underprivileged through the Community Action Program. Cellie valued education and strongly encouraged her children to complete college. She had a gift for writing which she passed on to many of her children and grandchildren.
Cellie was doted on by her husband of more than 60 years, her children, grandchildren, and her great grandson. She will be remembered for her sweet, loving nature, her compassionate listening, and a sense of humor that allowed her to laugh at herself until the end.
She is survived by her children, Patty (Tom) Schmitt of Glenwood, Iowa, Michelle Klee (Ken Peregon) of Kalamazoo, Michigan, Jackie (Kevin) Colgan of Peoria, Illinois, Jay of Council Grove, Nan (Gareth) Williams of Tallahassee, Florida, and Kevin (Susan) Klee of St. Paul, Minnesota. She leaves behind 16 grandchildren: Tyson (Ashley) Schmitt, Scarlett (Kert) Crowe, and Skyler Schmitt; Evan and Marissa Klee-Peregon; Katie Colgan, Kara (Ryan) Bodle, and Chris Colgan; Carys (Bryon) Smiley, Rhiannon, Celyn and Rhosalyn Williams; Victoria (Trent) Noonan, Nick, Brittany (Rick) Parsons, and Lizzie Klee, as well as her great-grandson, Walker Schmitt. She is also survived by sister Loretta Petges of Ottawa, Illinois and her brother Don Hermann of Hernando, Florida
Cellie was preceded in death by her husband, Maurice, her parents and two sisters, Evelyn Freehauf and Florence Moroni.
Memorials may be made to Birthright, St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church or Hand In Hand Hospice of Emporia, Kansas. They may be sent in care of Penwell-Gabel, PO Box 273, Council Grove, KS 66846