Cecelia Kes, of Edina (formerly of Burnsville), passed away February 2, 2020 at the age of 81. A Celebration of Life Service will be held on Friday, February 7, 2020 at 11:00 AM with a
Memorial Gathering from 9:30 – 11:00 AM at Trinity Church (10658 – 210 th Street West) in Lakeville. Cecelia will be laid to rest at St. John’s Catholic Cemetery in Savage.
On August 1, 1938, Cecelia Gail Anderson was born to William & Roseann (Kinley) Anderson as the third of five children. The family lived in Minneapolis surrounded by the action of the city. Cecelia was very close with her siblings and her extended family, which featured strong female role models that shaped her life.
Cecelia graduated from St. Margaret’s Catholic School and began studying nursing in North Dakota. While she was home on break, she met the love of her life at the Marigold Ballroom. Legend has it that a young man asked Cecelia to dance, but she was not interested. She told the would-be suitor that she was there with someone else. When asked who she was with, Cecelia pointed to a tall, good looking stranger across the room. That stranger was Bob Kes. Cecelia and Bob met later that night and the rest is history. They exchanged wedding vows on November 22, 1958.
Bob and Cecelia settled in Burnsville and were blessed with seven wonderful children. Cecelia worked hard to create a loving home: she was an excellent cook and baker; sewed outfits for the kids; shared her love of literature and music; and modeled a love and respect for others. Although they didn’t have a lot of extra money, Cecelia found ways to create special memories. One such tradition was an annual trip to the Minnesota State Fair. With picnic lunch packed, they visited machinery hill, the livestock barns and spent hours enjoying the talents of the local musicians performing at the band shell. Cecelia also made an annual tradition of visiting the Dayton’s 8 th Floor Christmas display. In the summer it was swimming lessons and picnic lunches at the lake as well as camping trips.
Cecelia wasn’t just raising children and running a household, however. This incredible woman also went back to school – twice. She completed her LPN training and began working as a nurse and then went on to earn her degree as an RN. Cecelia cared deeply for others and her work as a nurse was a natural fit. She worked as a critical care nurse at St. Francis Hospital in Shakopee for more than 30 years, many of those years working the evening and overnight shifts so that she and Bob could tag team time at home with the kids. She was also a calming presence for her extended family anytime someone was sick, having surgery or starting hospice. Cecelia seemed to know exactly when and how to give the comfort and support needed at these difficult times.
Cecelia enjoyed cooking, reading, listening to music and bingo, but she also had an adventurous side. She loved to travel and visited Korea, Germany and Czechoslovakia, but it was Ireland for which she had a special love. Cecelia first visited Ireland with her mother and sisters, but she would return frequently over the next decade. She took great pleasure in listening to local musicians play Celtic tunes in the pubs out in the country.
In her retirement, Cecelia loved to spend time with her growing family. She was incredibly proud of her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. She loved unconditionally, never judging and always there to listen, support and encourage.
Sadly, it was during this time that Cecelia developed memory loss and, eventually, dementia. This strong independent woman was suddenly confused and afraid. As the disease progressed, she came to rely on Bob as her security. He would frequently reassure her that they needed each other. Sometimes the sound of his voice saying, “I love you, Cecelia” was all it took to bring her peace. Cecelia and Bob were together for 61 years and their love for each other was never stronger than the day she died.
Cecelia is survived by her husband of 61 years, Robert Kes; children, Deborah (Kurt Anderson) O’Brien; Victoria Kes; Catherine (Chris Vernon) Kes; Dan (Chris) Kes, David (Lindy) Kes, Dominic (Trish) Kes, Rebecca Kes; many grandchildren & great-grandchildren; sister, Joy Goff; other loving relatives and friends. Cecelia was greeted in Heaven by her parents, William & Roseann Anderson; granddaughter, Megan Michaelson; siblings, Rosemary Jewell, Bill Anderson & Paul Anderson.
