Ruby McKee

In Loving Memory of a Beloved Great-Grandmother;

Ruby Bernice McKee (nee Bowers), 93, passed away peacefully on January 8, 2026. Born on September, 24, 1932, in Beatrice, Nebraska, she lived a life filled with kindness and generosity. Ruby devoted herself to raising her children and she cared for her grandchildren and great-grandchildren into her nineties. A woman who loved deeply and showed up fully for everyone she loved.

Ruby met husband Harold at Lincoln Business College in Nebraska and they were married for 69 years until his death in January 2024. She is survived by her son, Mark McKee (Debra) of Weatherby Lake, Missouri; daughter, Melanie Webb (Andy) of Edwardsville, Illinois; grandson, Steven McKee (Anna) of Weatherby Lake; grandson, Kevin McKee (Kristen Delsigne) of Weatherby Lake; granddaughter, Alicia Webb (Nicholas Von Geusau) of Birmingham, Alabama; grandson, Kyle Webb of Breckenridge, Colorado; and great grandchildren, Dean McKee, Ruby McKee, Maren McKee and Theo McKee, all of Weatherby Lake. She was preceded in death by her parents, Ben and Agnes Bowers, and siblings Marvin Bowers (Josephine), Beulah MacPherson (Hillary) and Robert Bowers (Ruth).

Ruby worked for the U.S. Air Force as a civilian records keeper. She was a volunteer school nurse at Southeast Elementary and served as a leader in the Cub Scouts and the Brownies.

She built her life around family. Her home was filled with laughter over card games and board games. Her love for playing bridge had her playing in at least two, sometimes three different groups each week.

She had a gift for creating things with her hands and her heart. There was almost nothing she couldn’t sew: children’s clothes, cute outfits, shawls for formals and even adapting her daughter’s beautiful gown for her granddaughter’s prom. Every special event had someone wearing something handmade by Grandma. And, of course, the annual Christmas ornaments that she would rope Harold into helping with. His pride in her creations was just as special as the thing itself.

She was, without question, everyone’s favorite cook. From her porcupine meatballs, deviled eggs and her holiday Chex mix and cherry dessert, her meals brought people together and she never failed to share her recipes.

She never said no to watching her grandkids or great-grandkids. Time with them was her joy and she understood the importance of a good scoop of ice cream shared together. She showed her love in presence, consistency, and the little moments that mattered most.

She never missed an event and believed that showing up was one of life’s greatest responsibilities. At 80 years old, she proved that spirit has no age limit when she and Harold arrived in full costume to her grandson’s Halloween party, delighting everyone there. Ruby and Harold were always to be found cheering at each school event, baseball game and dance recital. Ruby religiously kept score at baseball games, in many cases so accurately that the umpires checked with her when there was a dispute.

She leaves behind a legacy of love, resilience, creativity, and devotion. Her influence lives on in family traditions, well-worn recipes, carefully stitched hems, and the stories we’ll continue to tell. Most of all, it lives on in the countless lives she shaped simply by loving them so well.

Since July of 2024 Ruby resided at Wexford Place where she was loved by all. Special thank you to Ascend Hospice.