Richard J. Lee, 88

Published 10:35 am Wednesday, February 22, 2017

Richard J. Lee, 88

Richard J. Lee, 88, of Austin, Minnesota, died Tuesday, Feb. 21, 2017, at The Cedars of Austin.

He was born July 31, 1928, in Dodge County, Minnesota, the son of Edwin and Elsie (Highshoe) Lee. Richard attended rural schools before enrolling in the Austin Area Vocational-Technical Institute for carpentry. He made his living as a butcher working for Hormel Foods Corporation, retiring in 1986. On June 25, 1950, Richard and Ida May Klingfuss were united in marriage at St. Olaf Lutheran Church in Austin. To this union, four children were born. Richard enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1952, serving in Korea.  He was honorably discharged in 1953. Richard liked to hunt and fish and enjoyed his annual fishing trip up north. He loved being outdoors. Other favorite pastimes included gardening and carpentry work. He belonged to St. Olaf Lutheran Church, the Eagles Club, the Moose Lodge, the American Legion and the VFW. Richard will be dearly missed by his family and friends.

Survivors include his wife, Ida May of Austin; his children Danny (Ann) Lee, Jerry (Teresa) Lee, and Vicky (Jerome “Jerry”) Hansen, all of Austin, and Brian (Tammy) Lee of Owatonna, Minnesota; 12 grandchildren, 15 great-grandchildren; his sister, Vera Armbrust of Austin; sister-in-law, Nancy Lee of Bloomington, Minnesota; sister-in-law, Phyllis Lee of Austin; brother-in-law, Marvin Durben of Bloomington; and in other relatives and friends. Richard was preceded in death by his parents; his sister, Rosella Durben and her husband Ambrose; a sister, Lucille in infancy; sister, Evelyn Durben; brothers, Elmer and Virgil; sister-in-law, Dorothy Lee, and brother-in-law, LaVern “Hap” Armbrust.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Thursday, Feb. 23, 2017, at St. Olaf Lutheran Church in Austin with Todd Portinga, Associate in Ministry, officiating. Interment with military honors by American Legion Post 91 and VFW Post 1216 will follow in Grandview Cemetery. Friends may call from 5 to 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 22 at Worlein Funeral Home in Austin, and one hour prior to the service at the church on Thursday.

Memorials can be directed to St. Olaf Lutheran Church, American Legion Post 91, VFW Post 1216, or a recipient of the donor’s choice.

Services prearranged and performed by Worlein Funeral Home of Austin.  Condolences may be expressed to the family online at www.worlein.com.