Galen Douglas Kees

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 were held 11:00 am on Wednesday, August 23, 2017 at Faith Lutheran Church in Durand, WI with Pastor Valerie Peterson officiating. Burial with Military Rites were at Forest Hill Cemetery in Durand. Friends called 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