Return to Class of 1957
02/11/2026
Ronald Lloyd Gee, 87, of Pella passed away on Friday, August 21, 2026, surrounded by his family at Independence Village of Pella. Graveside services will be held at Graceland Cemetery in Knoxville, IA on Wednesday, August 26, 2026, at 12:00 pm with military honors, family will receive friends prior to the service at the Pierschbacher Funeral Home in Knoxville beginning at 10:00 am. Memorials may be directed to the Marion County Humane Society.
Ronald Gee was born on May 15, 1939, to Glenn and Fern Gee, in Knoxville, Iowa. He attended Washington school located just north of 3M Plant, and Scott school, located south of Knoxville. He attended Knoxville High School until his senior year when his family moved to Tracy and graduated from Tracy High School in 1957.
After graduation he worked as a gas station attendant and later at the Vermeer Mfg. Company in Pella, IA. In July of 1961 he enrolled in the U.S. Trade School of Kansas City, MO., graduating on March 30, 1962. Just prior to graduation he received his draft notice for the U.S. Army. About two weeks after that he was on his way to Ft. Leonard Wood, MO. for basic training. After more training in Ft. Sill, Oklahoma he was sent to Koln, Germany for a year and a half. Upon his discharge, he went back to work for Vermeer Mfg. for about 4 months.
In October of 1964 he started to work for McKinney Chevrolet in Preston, Iowa. Then in 1967 McKinney went out of business and Ron went to Mt Pleasant, Iowa and worked for Shafer Motors which later became McWhirter Chevrolet. In 1974 Ron and Margaret moved back to Knoxville and he worked for the Iowa Department of Transportation as a mechanic. His career at 3M Company began in 1978 working there as a Maintenance Technician until retirement in 1999.
On the glorious day of June 21, 1959, in Tracy, Iowa, Ron married the love of his life Margaret Beebe. To this union two children were born Michael and Ronda.
Ron enjoyed hunting for small game and even tried bow hunting for a couple of years. Then, in 2010, his son-in-law Rick took him deer hunting. Ron harvested his first deer and soon showed everyone how to bring home the monster bucks. Another favorite pastime was riding snowmobiles and ATVs.
Ronald had a love for travel and adventure, and over the years he had the opportunity to visit all 50 states. His travels also took him abroad to Europe, with Ireland holding a special place among his destinations, as well as to the beautiful islands of the Caribbean. Whether exploring somewhere new or simply enjoying time closer to home, Ronald appreciated the experiences and memories each journey brought. One of his favorite ways to spend his free time was dancing with Margaret. Together, they shared many wonderful moments on the dance floor, enjoying the music, each other’s company, and the simple joy of being together.
Left to cherish Ronald’s memory is his wife of 67 years Margaret; daughter Ronda (Rick) Silvers, son Michael (Rita) Gee; granddaughter Karrie (Shea) Phillips; great-grandchildren Haylie and Cameron Phillips; a sister Imogene Crawford.
He was preceded in death his parents Glenn and Fern Gee; brother Richard Gee and his companion Willie; sister and brother in-law Glenna and John Thomas; brother in-law John Crawford and his parent in-laws Versal and Connie Beebe.