Robert "Bob" Lee

Robert “Bob” Lee, 86, of Rochester, MN died on November 2, 2023 of natural causes at the Stewartville Care Center where he had been a resident for the past week. 

Robert Owen Lee was born March 15, 1937 in Dexter, MN to Oliver and Ruth (Bowman) Lee. He grew up on the family farm, attended country school and Elkton schools, graduating from Elkton HS in 1955. He served four years in the Minnesota National Guard and began a career as a flooring installer.  Robert was married on May 4, 1963 in Redwood Falls, MN to Donna M. Weisbroad.   Following their marriage the couple lived in Rochester before moving to rural south Rochester in 1978, where they raised their five children and lived for many years. Bob was employed at Sears Department Store and Hiller’s Flooring both in Rochester as a flooring installer. In 1976 he started Bob’s Floor Shoppe in Stewartville which he owned and operated with help from all five of his kids until 1991. Donna was a homemaker but was also employed as a registered nurse at Methodist Hospital in Rochester for a number of years and was employed with the State of Minnesota as a Quality Assurance and Review Nurse until 1999. Bob continued installing part-time on larger commercial projects with A.G. Strobel Co. in Rochester until his retirement. They sold their country home and moved into Rochester where Bob has continued to live. His wife Donna died on August 1, 2010.      

Bob was a longtime member of Christ United Methodist Church in Rochester and of the Masonic and Eastern Star Orders in Stewartville. He was also a member of the Stewartville Chamber of Commerce, Jaycees and Lions.  He volunteered with Meals on Wheels and worked part time doing pharmacy deliveries to people’s homes. He was a devoted Boy Scout Leader for many years and countless hours starting even before his children’s participation in scouting - it was a proud family legacy that continues today. Bob was known for his sense of humor, perhaps not always politically correct! He and Donna were able to travel to Alaska for a cruise and on road trips and camping with family. He was an avid gardener and lawn mower, fished and hunted and followed the Vikings.  Bob loved time spent with his family, especially his grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Bob is survived by one daughter and four sons –  Mark Lee of Rochester; Michael (Fabian) Lee of Plymouth, MN; Bruce (Michelle) Lee of Claremont,MN; Cindi (Steve) Gilbertson of Galesville,WI. and Terry (Terri) Lee of Bloomington,IN; 16 grandchildren and two great grandchildren; two sisters -Delores Raveling of Mankato, MN and Caroline Lyngen of Walker, MN and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his wife Donna, his parents, a sister - Lila Peterson, three brothers - Nels Lee, Don Lee, Adrian Lee and special friend - Sue Rothchild.

The memorial service for Bob will be at  1:00 PM on Saturday, November 18, 2023 at Christ United Methodist Church in Rochester with Rev. Kirkland Reynolds offiiciating. Burial will follow at Grandview Memorial Gardens in Rochester.  A time of visitation for family and friends will be one hour prior to the service.  Guests are welcome to join the family at the cemetery for the burial and a reception at the church immediately following. The Lee Family suggests memorials to a Local Chapter of the Boy Scouts of America. Arrangements are with Griffin Gray Funeral Home in Stewartville. Memories and condolences of Bob are welcome at www.griffin-gray.com.  Personal notes of condolences can be mailed to Bob Lee, ℅ Bruce Lee, 211 East Street North, Claremont, MN 55924.

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