COTTONWOOD FALLS — Dorothy Louise (Duke) Martin McKee, age 88, died Saturday, Aug. 22, at Harry Hynes Memorial Hospice within Ascension Via Christi St. Francis in Wichita. Previously, she was a resident at Villa Maria in Mulvane.
Born in Elmdale, Kan., on Aug. 2, 1938, Dorothy was the middle child of Leroy and Janette (Schwilling) Duke. The family soon moved to the family farm in Saffordville, where Dorothy attended school through graduation in 1956. She was involved in athletics, Job’s Daughters and 4-H. Very much a tomboy, Dorothy preferred farm chores with her father over domestic time in the home, and she learned from a young age how to work hard, a trait that served her well.
Dorothy lived in western Kansas the majority of her life, including the Great Bend, Dodge City and Manter areas. She worked as a secretary and office manager, primarily within the feed yard industry. Outside of work, she took care of her children, the household, animals and often a summertime garden.
Dorothy married Donald Martin in Raton, New Mexico, on Aug. 25, 1955. They were married for 45 years until his death on Oct. 30, 2000, and together they raised five children. Dorothy and Don also raised Shelties for many years, and Dorothy was a 4-H leader at both the county and state levels for the 4-H Dog Program. She helped many 4-Hers, including her own children, train and show their dogs. A State 4-H Alumni Recipient, she also led the annual conference at Rock Springs as well as the state fair dog show. Later, they raised and trained registered American Quarter Horses and enjoyed horse shows, where they were awarded numerous trophies.
On Dec. 4, 2004, Dorothy married Kenneth McKee in Fort Dodge, Kan. He preceded her in death on June 21, 2017. Dorothy and Ken enjoyed their country life, continuing to raise horses. They also enjoyed great times shuffling their boots at many a country-and-western dance.
Dorothy is survived by her five children, Terry Perez of Dodge City, Randy Martin (Erin) of Great Bend, Brad Martin (Cindi) of Wichita, Brian Martin of Ashland, and Donna Jones (Kris) of Ankeny, Iowa; her sister, Nancy Huck of Topeka; 14 grandchildren; 35 great-grandchildren; and 17 great-great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, Leroy and Janette Duke; her husbands, Donald Martin and Kenneth McKee; her sister, Ellen Cale; great-grandson Weston Jones; and great-great-grandson Ayce Rideaux.
Funeral service will be at 10 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 1, 2026, at Brown-Bennett-Alexander Funeral Home in Cottonwood Falls. Inurnment will follow in Prairie Grove Cemetery. Memorial donations may be made to the Chase County Historical Society, in care of Brown-Bennett-Alexander Funeral Home, P.O. Box 220, Cottonwood Falls, KS 66845.
Funeral arrangements provided by
Brown-Bennett-Alexander Funeral Home
P.O. Box 220
Cottonwood Falls, KS 66845
Great Bend (Kan.) Tribune, Aug. 27, 2026
