Lee N. Koke

Lee N. Koke, 81, of Kellogg, died Thursday, March 20, 2025, at the Iowa Veterans’ Home in Marshalltown. A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m., Tuesday, March 25, 2025, at the Wallace Family Funeral Home and Crematory in Newton. Visitation will be held from 10-11 a.m., Tuesday, March 25, at the funeral home. Memorials to the American Legion, the VFW, or Newton Lodge #59 AF & AM can be left at the funeral home.

Lee, the son of Ervin and Ruth (Noren) Koke, was born December 13, 1943, in Des Moines. He graduated from Des Moines Technical High School. Lee served his country for over 20 years, first in the US Navy during the Vietnam War from 1963-1967. He then joined the US Air Force, where he served from 1967-1971 and was a member of the Beach Masters. After his active duty, he was active in the Iowa National Guard from 1972-1984. Lee was united with Cherryl Sterner on December 31, 1970, in Indiana. Lee worked for the City of Des Moines as a mechanic for 25 years, retiring in 1984. He was a member of the American Legion, the VFW, and was a 50-year member of the Newton Lodge #59 AF & AM. He was also a 50-year member of the Des Moines Scottish Rite, 50-year member of the Za-Ga-Zig Shrine, a member of the Des Moines High 12 Club #4, and a member of Des Moines Chapter #89, Order of the Eastern Star. He had also been part of a tractor club and The Oriental Band through the lodge.  He enjoyed the opportunities he had over the years to work the Shrine Circus and to transport children to the Shriners hospital in the Twin Cities.  Lee also enjoyed collecting garden tractors, working on cars and engines, and hunting deer and turkey.

Those left to honor Lee’s memory include his wife, Cherryl of Kellogg; his cousin, Christine Thompson of Las Vegas; and his friend and caretaker, Colleen Cash of Kellogg.  He was preceded in death by his parents and his brother, Herbert Koke.