Darold W Lee 1915-2004

LEE, MEYER

Posted By: Connie Swearingen (email)
Date: 4/30/2009 at 21:36:42

Mapleton Press
1 April 2004

Darold W. Lee was born December 26, 1915, on a farm near Ute, Iowa, the son of Frank and Euretha Jones Lee. He died on Thursday morning, March 18, 2004 in the Crawford County Memorial Hospital, Denison, Iowa, at the age of 88.
As a young child, he moved with his parents to a farm near Castana, Iowa, where he graduated from high school in 1933. After graduation from high school, he worked in the Los Angeles area for a short time. Darold and Frieda Meyer were united in marriage on April 12, 1939. They moved to Battle Creek, Iowa, where he farmed with his father for one year. After a year, Frieda's father died and they moved to the Meyer family farm northwest of Ricketts. Darold and Frieda were blessed with the birth of three children, Lowell, Loren and Dwayne. They lived on the farm until 1984, when they moved to a new home in Schleswig. Frieda died in 1991. Darold was a devoted husband, father and grandfather.

Darold led an active life. As a successful farmer and cattle feeder, he specialized in feeding premium Angus cattle. This was largely the result of a buyer coming to the farm from New York in 1941, resulting in a business relationship whereby all of Darold's cattle, when fat, were sent to the stockyards in Chicago, purchased there by the buyer and then onto the same packing house in New York. This arrangement lasted more than 30 years. Darold retired from farming, but remained actively involved in the farming business with his sons until his death.

Besides being a farmer, Darold was a member of many organizations and businesses. He served as a Director for the Farmers Savings Bank in Ricketts, the Eventide Lutheran Home, and the Schleswig Community Schools. He was School Board President, chairman of the Crawford County Zoning Board, and an organizer for the Crawford County Cattlemen's Association.

Darold and Frieda became members of the Immanuel Lutheran Church in Soldier Township, and later transferred to St. Luke's Lutheran Church in Ricketts. When he and Frieda moved to Schleswig, they transferred to Immanuel Lutheran Church in Schleswig. Besides his many other activities, he was especially active in his church.

Darold especially enjoyed listening to and playing music. At various times, he played the banjo or the guitar in a band, and participated in many variety shows. In later life, he particularly enjoyed entertaining by playing his harmonica at a variety of events, including many nursing homes.

On August 28, 1993, he married Dorothy Henniges of Sumner, Iowa. The couple spent over ten wonderful years alternating between winters in Arizona and summers in Schleswig and Sumner. This very happy union added three daughters and one son, four spouses, and many grandchildren to his family. He was very devoted to his wife and both families, and cherished time spent with their children and grandchildren.

Darold looked upon his wife and family with great pride, and enjoyed the close relationships shared by everybody. However, he was especially proud of and gained much personal joy from his grandchildren and their accomplishments, and the very special relationship he held with each one of them.

He is survived by his wife, Dorothy; three sons, Lowell and wife, Judy of Mapleton; Loren and wife, Marlene of Mapleton; Dwayne and wife, Connie of Charter Oak. Also four stepchildren, Kenneth Henniges and wife, Janet of Sumner, Iowa; Sharon Kasermeier and husband, Kenneth of Sumner; Joyce Dedor and husband, Roger of Dunkerton, Iowa and Marilyn Koenig and husband, Howard of Pensacola, Florida.

Also nine grandchildren, Kristin Jans and husband, Eric of Chicago, Illinois; Karla Lee of Chicago; Kathy Pithan and husband, Mike of Anthon; Evan Lee and wife, Terri, and son Spencer of Lincoln, Nebraska; Andrea O'Brien and husband, John and sons Xavier and Zane of Kirksville, Missouri; Air Force Staff Sergeant Ryan Lee of South Korea; Darren Lee and wife, Jenn and son Dawson of Sioux Falls, South Dakota; Derek Lee and fiance, Amy Minshall of Sturbridge, Massachusetts, and Dane Lee and wife, Stacy, and son Marcus of Schleswig, Iowa; and by 11 step-grandchildren; 20 step-great-grandchildren; and two step great-great-grandchildren.

He is also survived by two brothers, Francis Lee and his wife, Irene of Charter Oak; and C. Stuart Lee and his wife, Katheryn, of Battle Creek; two sisters, Naomi Kahrs of Mapleton, and Ruby Schafer of Sioux City; two sisters-in-law, Jane Lee and Vera Lee; one aunt, Vivian Lee of Mapleton; and many other relatives and friends. Darold was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, Frieda, one sister, Norma Jean Divito, and three brothers, John Lee, Veryl Lee and Elvin Lee.

Funeral services were held at 10:30 a.m. Monday, March 22, 2004 at the Immanuel Lutheran Church in Schleswig, Iowa. Rev. Merle Mahnken officiated the service and grave side rites held at the Morgan Cemetery in Schleswig. Marlene Hight provided the organ accompaniment for Darren Lee, Jenn Lee and Dane Lee singing, "The Lord's Prayer" and for congregational hymns, "How Great Thou Art", "Just A Closer Walk With Thee" and "Lift High The Cross". Honorary pallbearers were Andrea O'Brien, Kathy Pithan, Amy Minshall, Kristin Jans, Stacy Lee, Terri Lee, Karla Lee and Jenn Lee. Pallbearers were John O'Brien, Mike Pithan, Derek Lee, Darren Lee, Eric Jans, Evan Lee, Ryan Lee and Dane Lee. The family invited everyone in attendance at the service to join them in fellowship and lunch at the church, served by the Ladies Aid. The Huebner Funeral Home in Schleswig was in charge of arrangements.