Kealynn Irene Kees

Kealynn Irene Kees, 56, of Kingston, New York, died January 23, 2026, at the Health Alliance Hospital in Kingston. Kealynn died of a cardiac arrest eight days after a successful cranial brain surgery.
Kealynn was born, August 30, 1969, at the old Hudson hospital, one year and four days following the birth of her brother Erik.
Kealynn was raised in River Falls, Wisconsin. She attended Westside Elementary, River Falls Junior High and River Falls High School. Her schools and community afforded her a safe and secure environment, whereby she developed friendships throughout her youth and with people having strong morals, values and ethics. She most enjoyed her educators that promoted critical thinking and required high expectations for her academically. She participated in the local community offerings of swimming and piano lessons, Brownie and Girl Scouts, dance lessons, gifted and talented programs, etc. Her Christian education was completed at Mount Zion Lutheran Church in Hudson, Wisconsin. Kealynn was provided a plethora of community summer job opportunities such as babysitting, detasseling corn, motel room cleaning, fast food restaurant gigs as well as Andersen Window Factory work.
Kealynn graduated with the River Falls class of 1987 and went onto UW-Madison, graduating in December 1995, with the degree in the School of Accounting.
Kealynn loved the rich and exciting intellectual environment at UW-Madison. She intentionally chose to cultivate her creative side and fully immersed herself in the areas of stand-up comedy, the arts, poet slams, and writing workshops. Her various talents were appreciated by the Madison community as she was awarded a “40 under 40” winner in her 20s among other awards. While juggling so many desired pursuits, she claimed time for the periodic grounding she needed through her yoga and meditation practices.
In her late 20s, Kealynn made the courageous decision to move to Rogers Park in Chicago, to hone her writing skills and wit into the comedy club circuits of Second City and the Red Lion, as well into her poetry slam groups. Her life aspirations were dramatically changed when a brain tumor was discovered within a year after moving to Chicago. In January 2000, she had a successful surgery completed at Northwestern Hospital in Evanston, Illinois, only to endure a lengthy rehabilitation.
Then, once again, she courageously left a comfortable Chicago existence, and went on into New Jersey, New York City, Brooklyn, and into the Burroughs of Queens. There she was employed in various accounting positions, still writing, before settling down into Kingston, New York.
Kealynn designed her life in a pragmatic manner making sure she incorporated all of her personal needs to design and express herself writing creatively, to enjoy her wit and humor, as well as to enjoy others, and seeking a spiritual lifestyle via meditations, yoga, and spiritual practices. She provided guidance and encouragement, via personal sessions and workshops, to support others in their quest for a life of peaceful existence.
Kealynn’s smile, the sound of her voice, the resonance of her hearty laughter, and the embrace of her love, will remain in our hearts and minds. Her dedication to a life well lived, via her unique qualities, accomplishments, and passions, will continue.
Kealynn is survived by her mother, Mary A. Kees, of River Falls, Wi; and brother Ian Kees and niece Marin Kees of Minneapolis, MN. In addition to Ian’s fiancé Bren Partlow and children Jack and Ella, of Rochester, MN. She is survived by 182 aunts and uncles and cousins.
Kealynn is proceeded in death by her father Lowell Kees on May 30, 2025; brother Erik Kees, on April 11, 2020; maternal grandparents, Lloyd and Irene Bushland of Hayward, WI; and paternal grandparents, William and Theone Kees of Durand, WI.
Services will be held in Kingston, New York on March 15. Services in the River Falls area will be held at a later date.
The family has been supported via the Joseph Leahy Funeral Home of Kingston, New York.
Memorials to honor her life will be established.