KEESIS
Shenandoah, IA-Jesse "Komo" Keesis was born January 13, 1935 on the Kickapoo Indian Reservation at Horton, KS, the son of Jesse and Dora (Williams) Keesis. He passed away suddenly on Tuesday morning, August 4, 2009 at the Shenandoah Medical Center at the age of 74 years, 6 months and 22 days.
Jesse, known to everyone as Komo, his Indian name, attended school on the reservation through the eighth grade. During his teenage years he lived in the Imogene area and has spent the last fifty years in Shenandoah. On February 7, 1959, Komo was united in marriage to Mary Etta Hall in Nebraska City, NE. This union was blessed with four children; Jesse Wayne, Tamara Kay, Rodney Lee and Larry Dean.
Komo was employed many years at Mt. Arbor Nurseries. Then later he worked for Farmaster, Eaton Corporation and Lisle Corporation. After his retirement, Komo and Mary were self employed with Keesis Lawn Service.
Komo enjoyed sports. He coached little league baseball and played a lot of basketball. He also started the Elkettes girls softball team in Shenandoah. Whenever he had the chance, Komo would go see the Harlem Globetrotters. He often got out on the floor and threw some balls with them, as well as the Harlem Magicians. But most of all, Komo enjoyed spending time with his family and friends. You would often see him sitting in his driveway on a hot summer day.
He was preceded in death by his parents; five sisters, Sophie Shane, Nettie Wishkeno, Florence Gibson, Corolene Potts, Franceline Masqua; an infant brother; and an infant granddaughter.
Survivors include his wife, Mary Etta Keesis of Shenandoah, IA; his children, Jesse Wayne Keesis of Winner, SD, Tamara Kay Gage and her husband Kerry of Clarinda, IA, Rodney Lee Keesis of Shenandoah, IA, Larry Dean Keesis and his wife Erin of La Place, LA; six grandchildren, Natalie Denton of Lafayette, CA, Jessica Heter of Las Vegas, NV, Daniel Keesis of Council Bluffs, IA, Rodney Keesis of La Crosse, WI, Cheyenne Keesis of Portland, OR, Ashley Keesis of Blanchard, IA; four great grandchildren, Olivia Denton, Roxy Denton, Chloe Denton, Daniel Rodius; a sister, Marjorie Pahmahmie of Horton, KS; along with many other relatives and friends.
Visitation with the family present will take place from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00p.m. Friday evening, August 7, 2009 at the Kirsch Funeral Chapel in Shenandoah. A Drum Ceremony will be held Sunday evening, August 9, 2009 at the Kickapoo Community Building in Horton, KS. Burial will be Monday in the Mason Cemetery west of Horton. Memorials are suggested to the Shenandoah Parks and Recreation Sports Programs. The Kirsch Funeral Chapel in Shenandoah and the Mercer Funeral Home in Holton, KS are assisting the family with arrangements.