By Dan Sullivan
Catholic Herald

At 90, Mellen man is still going strong

MELLEN -- Keith Markee may be 90, but he doesn't let age slow him down. Markee remains a busy member of the Holy Rosary Parish in Mellen.

"He's extremely active in the parish," said Fr. Jozef Barszcz, pastor of the Mellen, Clam Lake, Glidden, Highbridge and Sanborn cluster.

Keith and his twin brother, Kenneth, marked their 90th birthday on Feb. 5. Keith Markee celebrated this milestone occasion by traveling to Superior for the dedication of the Cathedral of Christ the King.

"I had been to the chrism Mass before," Markee said. "The new decorations in the cathedral are beautiful."

Members of the Holy Rosary Parish held a celebration for the twins after its Saturday Mass, Feb. 12 .

At his church, Markee is a trustee of the parish council, member of the finance council, greeter and usher. He is also recording secretary for the Knights of Columbus council in Mellen.

"If you want to do something in the church, give it to Keith and it will get done," Barszcz said. "He's a busy (person), but he does good work."

Markee has been active in the church for a long time. "I was an altar boy 80 years ago," he said.

He has also witnessed a lot of changes in the Catholic Church during his 90 years. He recalled when a Communion rail was used and only priests and altar boys were permitted beyond the rail into the sanctuary.

"It was only when you were married that you were allowed on the other side of the rail," Markee said.

Being Catholic remains an important part of this man's life. "I grew up with parents who were pretty strict," Markee said. "Our religion was also much stricter years ago. The priest taught us catechism."

He still takes to heart what he learned in church as a child. "It bothers me that there are not a lot of children in church today," Markee said. "If you don't go to Mass as a child, are you going go to Mass as an adult? Kids seem to come back to Mass only if they want to get married and our parish is shrinking."

Age doesn't deter Markee from also remaining active in his community. Still able to drive, he delivers Meals on Wheels three days a week. Markee also chauffeurs those in need of rides to appointments or to do their errands. "I take friends to Ashland a lot," Markee said. "That's my range of driving."

One of his secrets to a long life is clean living. He also gives credit for his longevity to good family genes.

"I never smoked and grew up eating a lot of fresh vegetables," Markee said. "My mother made it to 85 and dad made it to 80 years. Years ago, that was old."

Markee was raised in a family of 11. "Ken and I are the only two remaining," he said. "We always did things together and we still get along good."

Keith was married, but his wife, Lois, died in 1989. The couple had two children together, Dave and Kathryn, who reside out of the area. He also has one granddaughter

Over their 90 years, the twin brothers often did things as a pair. "We wanted to go into the service together during World War II," Markee said. "I sailed on through and they sent Ken home."

Besides church activity, Markee is busy within the community where he has lived most of his life. He volunteers as treasurer for the historical society in Mellen and is a visitor greeter at the the local Chamber of Commerce office. He was voted Mellen man of the year a few years back.

"It was because I have been so active," he said. "I was city clerk for so many years. I was clerk when John Paul II became pope."

Being one of the first families to settle here, the Markee family name is not a new one to this northern Wisconsin town.

"My father was the first postmaster here in 1886, when the town got started." Markee said. "It's a peaceful place to live. I still don't lock my doors. We have good people here."

Markee said he has chosen to remain active because he enjoys being around other people. "It's nice to have something to do," he said. "Tuesday is my one free day."

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© Superior Catholic Herald, 2005