Michael "Dingus" B McKee

Dingus was born in Newcastle, Wyoming, to Robert and Shirley McKee. He moved to Denver at a young age, where he became a lifelong Denver Broncos fan. His family later settled in Bayard, Nebraska. Dingus attended school there until his senior year and graduated from Mitchell High School in Mitchell, Nebraska. He briefly attended Chadron State College, where he was given the nickname Dingus.

In time, he met the love of his life, Nancy Stengel. Their partnership began five years before they married, a bond that only deepened with time. They would have celebrated their 44th wedding anniversary on June 11, 2026. Together, they built a warm and welcoming home and were blessed with two children, K.C. and Ashley, who were the pride of his life.

Known to many as “Dingus,” he had a way of making people feel seen and included. He was quick with a joke, quicker to lend a hand, and unwaveringly devoted to his family and friends. Whether cheering on the Broncos, sharing stories at the kitchen table, or offering quiet encouragement when it was needed most, Dingus showed up—with heart.

Dingus was his grandkids biggest cheerleader, attending as many events as he possibly could. He was always heard before seen. He was an avid softball player playing for the Rompus Room for many years and golfing with many that also loved the sport.

Dingus was a loyal fan to his Nebraska Huskers along with all the professional Colorado sports teams.

Dingus is survived by his beloved wife, Nancy; his children, K.C. and Ashley McKee, and Ashley and Matt Hessler, grandchildren Marlee, Kaydence and Kaylor McKee and Zach, Avah, and Zaylee Hessler, and great grandchildren, Archer and Zennie Hessler, sister Terry McKee and brother Kelly and Gina McKee, multiple in-laws, and a large extended family, and many friends who will miss him dearly. He was preceded in death by his parents, Robert McKee, and Shirley Niederkorn, stepfather Tim Niederkorn, stepmother Shirley McKee, father and mother in law Jerry and Alice Stengel, brother in law, Johnny Stengel and many friends and extended family.

A celebration of Dingus’ life is being planned by the family on Sunday, May 31 at 1:00 p.m. at the Weborg Center. The celebration will continue at the Rompus Room immediately following the service. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given in his name to the American Legion Post #36, Gering or Gering Legion Baseball. The family invites you to honor Dingus by wearing your favorite team colors on game day, sharing a story that makes someone laugh, or lending a hand to a neighbor—just as he so often did. Fond memories and condolences may be left at www.geringchapel.com for the McKee family.

May his memory be a blessing and may the love he gave continue to ripple through the lives he touched. On the morning of his passing, he proudly placed 250 flags at the Gering Cemetery which he was known to do for multiple occasions honoring veterans and his community as a Son of the American Legion.