Eleanor E. Kee age 95, passed away on September 3, 2015 at Coffeyville Regional Hospital.
Eleanor was born on July 3, 1920 to Walter and Esther (Fair) Kee in Coffeyville, KS. Eleanor and her brother Kenneth lost their parents when she was just 12 years old. The children went to Enid and Coffeyville schools as they were taken in from various family members. After high school Eleanor worked for the radio station and Sears and Roebuck before returning to college to continue her education. She received her bachelor's degree from Ohio University in 1942 and received her Master's degree in education from Pittsburg State University in 1953. Eleanor was an educator for Longfellow, the Middle School, and retired from Field Kindley after 30 years of dedicated service as an educator. During her tenure, she was instrumental in having policies changed for equal pay rights. This earned her the title of being one of the "Notorious 5". Even after retirement she taught every chance she could in her day to day conversations. Eleanor and best friend Wilma Buckner for over 60 years, shared a love for golf, playing in every state but three, also sharing a passion for travel; Eleanor achieved two hole in one's, she played a key role in having the back 9 completed at Hillcrest Golf Course. Eleanor was credited with obtaining Eleanor Roosevelt as a guest speaker to a women's group at the Dale Hotel, she even enjoyed a small meal with the First Lady. She experienced a tremendous amount of history during her life, on December 19, 1941 she happened to be in New York City in Times Square when it went dark after the bombing of Pearl Harbor. She had a true passion for learning accomplishing 314 college hours in her lifetime, and had the pleasure of celebrating a 95th birthday. Friends and family gathered daily at the Sirloin Stockade for lunch also known as the "Lunch Bunch". The wait staff at Sirloin Stockade had the pleasure of hosting her birthday party with the rest of the "Lunch Bunch" in full attendance. Eleanor loved to play golf, travel, watch KU basketball, and the St. Louis Cardinals.
Eleanor was preceded in death by her parents and brother, and longtime friend, Wilma Buckner Left to honor her memory is her caretaker Kitty Long, Nephews Craig Buckner, Brad (Joyce) Buckner, Darin Buckner, Brian Buckner, Chris Buckner, Cindy Powell, and the "Lunch Bunch" and staff of Sirloin Stockade.
Funeral Service will be held on September 9, 2015 at 10:00 a.m. at the Coffeyville First Baptist Church with Pastor Dean McNamara officiating. Committal services will be held at the Veterans Memorial Patio following the service. Friends are invited to sign the register at Ford Wulf Bruns Chapel on Tuesday September 8, 2015 from 11 to 8 with the family receiving friends from 6 to 8. To leave the family a message of condolence please visit www.fordwulfburnschapel.com. The family suggests memorials to the First Baptist Church and may be left with the Chapel. Arrangements have been entrusted to Ford Wulf Bruns Chapel.
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