Obituary for Carl Herbert McKee

Carl H. McKee, 74, of Maple Grove, Minnesota passed away Saturday May 20, 2023. Carl was born to Beryl Brooks on February 17, 1949 in Macomb, Illinois. He is survived by his wife of 34 years, Mary Ellen; and his son, Matthew. He is also survived by his mother, Beryl; his brother, Raymond; his sister, Pamela; as well as his stepsons, nieces, nephews, and their families. He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Ivy and Walter Smith; and his stepfather, Ivan Brooks.

Carl grew up in Macomb, Illinois and graduated from Macomb High School in 1967. He then went on to achieve an Associate degree in Civil Engineering and a Bachelor’s degree in Business Management. He also joined the Marine Corps in 1969 and was honorably discharged in 1971. While active in the Marine Corps, he served in Vietnam where he was awarded medals that included the Bronze Star, the Cross of Gallantry, and the Purple Heart. He was the definition of once a Marine, always a Marine. After serving in the Marine Corps and completing his education, he went on to work most of his life in construction management for both residential and commercial projects, including owning his own company, CM Group.

There’s no way to sum up such a life in so few sentences, but Carl loved jeeping through the mountains, fishing the waters of Colorado and Minnesota, and spending a beautiful day on the golf course. He also took joy in driving around in his F150, watching Vikings football, grilling on the deck he built, and working on the best yard you’d ever step foot on. In recent years he grew fond of watching all kinds of movies, although you could almost always catch him watching something scary, and if a TV show involved exploring history, the military, or anything just a little bit bizarre, it was pretty much guaranteed he had it on. He was known for throwing on a Tommy Bahama shirt for just about any occasion, his fondness of the mountains and the beach, and his love of flamingos. However, of all the things he enjoyed in life, he genuinely loved nothing more than just spending quality time with his wife and son.

He was the epitome of a good father, a loving husband and family man, and a great friend to anyone that had the pleasure of meeting him. You’ll always be missed and forever loved.

Semper Fi Marine.

Celebration of Life will be June 9, 2023 at Evans-Nordby Funeral Home from 4-7pm.

Carl will also receive military honors and be put to rest at Fort Snelling National Cemetery.