Obituaries : Robert Lee

Robert (Bob) Lee, age 85, died Tuesday, June 10, 2025 at his rural Norway farm, surrounded by his loving family.

Funeral Services will be held at 10 AM., Friday, June 13, 2025 at Trinity Lutheran Church in Walford with Rev. Craig Brown officiating. Interment will be held at the Norway Cemetery, with the visitation being held from 4-8 PM, on Thursday, also at the church. Bob cared for the Norway Cemetery for many years, so the memorials may be directed to the Norway Cemetery for the perpetual care fund.

Bob was born October 25, 1939, in Cedar Rapids to Kenneth and Etta (Spurrier) Lee. He graduated from Norway High School in 1957. Bob served his country in the US Army Reserve. On January 26, 1963, he married Bette Ohlen at Grace Lutheran Church in Blairstown. Bob was a lifelong farmer.

He was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Walford and a 50-year member of the Fairfax American Legion Post #572. Bob loved sports of all kinds, playing cards, greyhound racing, attending livestock shows, fishing and trapping. Bob and Bette enjoyed traveling both domestically and abroad and spent many winters in Texas. He loved following his grand and great-grandchildren's activities. He had a varied circle of friends. He was famous for his practical jokes and his gift of gab.

He is survived by his wife, Bette of 62 years; 4 daughters, Deanna (Smiley) Freese-Miller of Norway, Debra (Regis) Schmidt of Watkins, Denise (Mark) Finnegan of Walker and Dionna "Dolly" (Blair) Moore of Knoxville, IA; 9 grandchildren, Anna (Tyler) Smith, Robert (Jaden) Freese, Emily (Donny) LeGrand, Erin Schmidt, Will (Mercedes) Schmidt, Fallon Finnegan, Sam Finnegan, and Megan (Caleb) Hall, Brook Moore; 6 great-grandchildren, Miles, Nolan, Brigham, Walker, Cecelia, and Violet; his brother, Richard (Pam) Lee; and several nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his sister, Linda Coakly and his son-in-law, Tom Freese.

Online condolences: www.phillipsfuneralhomes.com