Dorothy Lee

Dorothy Louise Lee, age 90, Grand Forks, N.D., passed away peacefully May 29, 2016  surrounded by family at Valley Eldercare.  Dorothy was born on January 7, 1926, to Cloyd and Muriel (Bennett) Wegley in Williston, ND.  She was raised on the family farm and attended Indian Hill School.  Dorothy married the love of her life, Lynn Lee, on January 21, 1944 and they had 3 sons and a daughter.   Dorothy and Lynn farmed together until 1965 when the farm was purchased by the Federal Government as part of the Garrison Diversion project. They then made their home in Williston where Dorothy was a stay at home Mom and later worked at the Bethel Home.  She was a very caring person and enjoyed working with the elderly. Lynn passed away in 1967 and a few years later, Dorothy moved to Grand Forks to be closer to her children and grandchildren.   Dorothy has always been very involved in helping others, volunteering at Gloria Dei Lutheran Church in Williston, and then at Sharon Lutheran in Grand Forks. She was recognized by then United Hospital as a volunteer in the physical therapy and in the kitchen putting in many hours for a number of years and in 1986, was recognized for her work volunteering 1000 hours.   Dorothy enjoyed playing cards, puzzles, Bingo, reading books, studying the Bible, word games, crocheting,  listening to country western music, and line dancing.  She also enjoyed traveling with friends and family to many parts of the country including the Peace Gardens, Black Hills, Theodore Roosevelt Park, Branson, Missouri,  Mackinac Island, Washington DC, Yellowstone Park, San Francisco, Phoenix, Minneapolis, and Winnipeg.    Because Dorothy grew up on the family Garden farm, she continued enjoying planting fruits, vegetables, and flowers in her own garden.  She also loved spending time with her grandchildren, attending dance recitals, band programs, and other activities.   After the 1997 Flood, Dorothy sold her home and eventually moved to Parkwood Place, where she thoroughly enjoyed being retired.  She had several bird feeders and really enjoyed watching the birds. One of her favorite foods was lutefisk with lots of butter.   In November 2014, Dorothy moved to Valley Eldercare where she became part of a very caring community.    Dorothy was preceded in death by her husband, Lynn, her parents, her son, Gary; a baby boy; a brother,  Quentin; sisters Joan Nasner, Muriel Novak, and a baby sister Ilene.   She is survived by her children, Betty (Ron) Sanden, Bemidji; Roger (Judy) Lee, West Fargo;  Marland (Noreen) Lee Grand Forks; her daughter-in-law Jeananne Lee, Grand Forks; her grandchildren Joshua Sanden, Bemidji;  Jennifer Sanden, Moorhead; Michael (Carmen) Lee, Fargo; Kimberly (Clinton) Schwartz, Fargo; Cheryl (Wade) Hagen , Peachtree City, GA; Douglas (Tammy) Lee, Debra Schlosser, Grand Forks; Cynthia (Jason) Humpton, Milbank; Jason Lee, Grand Forks, Elizabeth Lee, Grand Forks,  and Richard Lee, Grand Forks; 18 great-grandchildren; 1 great-great-grandchild; sisters, Janette Novak and Clara Wegley of Williston.   A  Private Memorial Service will be held  in Amundson Funeral Home in Grand Forks.  Graveside Services will be  1:00 p.m. Friday, June 3, 2016 in Riverview Cemetery, Williston, North Dakota.  Memorials are preferred to  Sharon Lutheran Church or Valley Memorial Homes Eldercare Center in Grand Forks.  Online guestbook is available at www.amundsonfuneralhome.com