Eugene “Gene” P. Lee

Eugene “Gene” P. Lee

June 2, 1936 – Sept. 16, 2016

Gene Lee was born June 2, 1936, to Patrick and Marie (Schmidt) Lee in Wabasha, Minnesota. Gene attended Plainview High School in Minnesota. He served in the United States Air Force from March 1955 to June 1965. While serving in the military, he met and married Thelma Marchant in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, on April 13, 1959.

Gene and Thelma opened Lee’s Refrigeration in 1965 in Seward, where Gene served as CEO. In his free time he enjoyed traveling, flying, shooting craps and monthly reunions with his long-time Air Force friends.

Gene was an avid supporter of the Seward community and a highly respected business man. He was a member of St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church in Seward. He also was a 60-year member of American Legion Post 33 in Seward.

Gene passed away Sept. 16, 2016, in Seward at the age of 80 years, 3 months and 14 days.

Gene is survived by his daughter and her husband, Monique and Richard Keever of Tacoma, Washington; sister, Stella Lamey of Grand Rapids, Michigan; sister-in-law, Betty Marchant of Austin, Minnesota; and many nieces, nephews and cousins.

Gene was preceded in death by his wife, Thelma; parents, Patrick and Marie Lee; sisters-in-law, Cleta Marchant, Jennith Marchant, Marie (Lyle) Kinnick and Zelda (James) Monroe; brothers-in-law and wives, Rex and Mildred Marchant, Lindsay and Opal Marchant and Melvin and Donna Marchant; and brothers-in-law, John Woods and David Lamey.

A rosary prayer service was held Sept. 20, 2016, and will be followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 21, at St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church in Seward, with the Rev. Christopher Barak officiating and full military honors at the church. Interment will be Saturday, Sept. 24, at St. Peter and Paul Catholic Cemetery in Kellogg, Minnesota. Casketbearers are Ray Meysenburg, Dean Gade, Leroy Lehr, A.J. Herrold, Dan Pearson and Deroyce Volzke. Honorary casketbearers are the staff of Lee’s Refrigeration and the 307th Bomb Wing. Memorial contributions may be made to Southeast Community College for a scholarship for a Seward County resident in the HVAC/refrigeration field or to the donor’s choice.