Franklin Sanford Lee (1913-1984)

LEE, VALLEM, STENSLAND, STOCK, JOHNSON, ELLWOOD, ENGELSON

Posted By: Dorian Myhre (email)
Date: 8/1/2025 at 23:25:48

From Story City Herald May 23, 1984 (page 10)

Franklin Lee

Franklin Sanford Lee, son of Alfred and Emma Vallem Lee, was born September 8, 1913, on the family farm south of Radcliffe.

He was baptized and later confirmed at Zion Lutheran Church, rural Radcliffe, and remained a faithful member there for many years.

He received his early education at a rural school in Concord Township and attended a year of high school in McCallsburg. He completed the last three years in Radcliffe, graduating in 1931. He attended Luther College and returned to the rural school to teach for two years.

On November 28, 1935, he was united in marriage to Selma Stensland. Six children were born to this union. They farmed south of Garden City four years and then moved a few miles to a farm in Story County.

Franklin began working at the Tri-County Bank in Garden City in 1963 and continued there until December of 1972 when he and Selma sold the farm and moved to Story City in March of 1971. He worked for Story County State Bank until his retirement. They joined Immanuel Lutheran Church in 1973.

He served his community in various ways including serving on the Garden City Creamery and McCallsburg School Boards. He was also active in Farm Bureau and loved sports of all kinds. He served as a Deacon at both Zion and Immanuel and was active in many other church activities.

Franklin died of cancer May 9, 1984 at the Mary Greeley Medical Center in Ames.

Funeral services were held Monday, May 14 at 1:30 p.m. from the Immanuel Lutheran Church, Story City. The Rev. Orville Sanderson was in charge. Pastors Perry Heller and Franklin Lee, Jr. spoke briefly. Janet Olson, organist, accompanied the soloists, Deb Stock, as she sang, "Make My Life A Prayer To You" and "I Saw The Lord" and Clifford Christensen as he sang "My Jesus I Love Thee" and "In Times Like These."

Casket bearers were Kent Stock, Lee Stock, Jim Engelson, Todd Johnson, Troy Johnson and Phillip Engelson. Burial was at the Story City Municipal Cemetery.

He is survived by his wife, Selma; six children, Janet Sock and husband, Kenneth, Ankeny, Karen Johnson and husband, Terry, West Des Moines, Franklin Lee Jr. and wife Jean, Clinton, Maryland, Larry Lee and wife Sandy, Atlanta, Georgia, Sally Johnson, Naples, Florida, and Charles Lee and wife, Donna, Dallas, Texas; eight granddaughters, Debbie Stock, Tara Johnson, Julie, Robyn, Lara, Teresa, Jamie and Jessica Lee; five grandsons, Kent and Lee Stock, Todd and Troy Johnson, and Benjamin Lee; three brothers, Obed, Eldora, James, Story City, and Ralph, Radcliffe; and two sisters, Margaret Ellwood and Marilyn Engleson, both of Radcliffe.

Franklin was preceded in death by his parents and four brothers, Alfred, Jr., Charles, and Elwood and David who died in infancy.