Harold E. Lee

HAROLD E. LEE was born to Carl and Laura (Reppe) Lee on October 26, 1919 in Flandreau, South Dakota. He was raised in the Colman, Egan and Flandreau areas of Moody County, South Dakota. He was baptized as an infant, and he was confirmed on June 23, 1935. He attended Simons Country School #13 and then Flandreau High School where he graduated in 1938. While in high school, he enlisted in the Flandreau National Guard on February 13, 1938. On October 27, 1940, he was united in marriage to Esther Weinkauf at the St. Paul Lutheran Church parsonage in Pipestone, Minnesota. A month later, on November 15, 1940, he was called to active duty for one year. He then returned to Flandreau where he managed Stewarts Caf until World War II broke out and he was called to active duty serving for the U.S. Army in the Signal Corp Communications. He then was stationed as a Radio Teleprinter in Kunming, China. While there he had the opportunity to meet Chiang Kai-shek and his wife and General Joseph Stillwell, as well as General Chennault. Following his discharge in May of 1945, he returned to Pipestone and was hired as the desk clerk at the Calumet Hotel. In 1947, he was appointed the Pipestone County Veterans Service Officer where he was employed for nine years. During this time, he also served as clerk of the Pipestone County Draft Board during the Korean War until he himself was activated in the Pipestone National Guard and was sent to Camp Rucker, Alabama, and was appointed Sergeant Major. He later transferred to the Minnesota National Guard 1st Battalion. In October, 1951, he returned to Pipestone and continued as the County Veterans Service Officer until April, 1956, when he was appointed Pipestone City Clerk Treasurer. On October 27, 1979, he retired as Command Sergeant Major of the Minnesota Combat Infantry Battalion after serving for 18 years. Following his retirement as Clerk Treasurer on June 1, 1982, Harold and Esther enjoyed making and selling their crafts at area craft shows. He also took pride in maintaining his lawn and garden, as well as his numeroous tropical fish tanks. His wife preceded him in death on November 17, 2000. Following her death, he remained in their home until May, 2006, when he moved to Falls Landing Assisted Living. In October, 2007, he became a resident at the Good Samaritan Communities of Pipestone.
On September 5, 2012, he entered the Pipestone County Medical Center where he died on Thursday, September 6, 2012 at the age of 92 years, ten months and ten days

Harold was a member of First Lutheran Church in Pipestone where he served as the Sunday School Superintendent and taught Sunday school for many years. He also served on numerous committees and enjoyed reading the scriptures for Sunday morning services. He was a member of the Michael Boock American Legion Post 6, serving as past Post Commander, and he was a member of Pipestone VFW Post 3814. He was also a member of the China-Burma-India Veterans Association. Throughout the years, he was involved in his community through Toastmasters, Safety Council, Lions Club and their clown clubs, a charter member of Pipestone Golden K where he served as secretary, Cub Scouts, United Commercial Travelers and the Indian Guides. When the Housing Development Authority was established, he served as secretary-treasurer on their board of directors for many years. Harold enjoyed visiting with everybody he met and took a special interest in them and their conversations. Later in life, he enjoyed singing. He took pride in each of his grandchildren and listened to what was happening in their lives.

He is lovingly remembered by his four children, Douglas and his wife Patricia Lee of Hutchinson, Minnesota, Gary and his wife Linda Lee of Watertown, South Dakota, Marsha and her husband Edward Timm of Elkton, South Dakota, and Brenda and her husband Kevin Fenton of Ellsworth, Minnesota; 13 grandchildren; and many great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his wife; his son, Dennis; his great-granddaughter, Alexa Stavig; his parents; and four sisters, Catherine Carlson, Caroline Olson, Isabelle Ellefson and Carmen Johannson.