Gwendolyn Lee, 1936-2017

Published 1:00 am Monday, June 5, 2017

Funeral services for Gwen Lee, 81, of Glenville will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday at First Lutheran Church in Glenville. The Rev. Nancy Hansen will officiate. Interment will be at Hillcrest Cemetery. Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Tuesday at Bayview/Freeborn Funeral Home and one hour prior to the service at the church on Wednesday. Online condolences are welcome at www.bayviefuneral.com.

Gwen died peacefully Friday, June 2, 2017, surrounded by her family at Good Samaritan Society of Albert Lea.

Gwendolyn Lee

Gwendolyn Annette Lee was born in Albert Lea on May 17, 1936, the daughter of Gilbert B. and Eva Louise (Benson) Overland. She grew up in Freeman Township and graduated from Emmons High School in 1953.

On Dec. 12, 1953, Gwen was united in marriage to Bernhard Greggar Lee at Round Prairie Lutheran Church. Gwen worked at Honeywell in Minneapolis while Bernie was stationed at Fort Snelling.

After his discharge in 1957, they took the train to Glenville where they made their home. After working for Citizens State Bank in Glenville for 30 years, Gwen retired from being assistant vice president.

After her retirement, Gwen and Bernie enjoyed spending their summers in Grand Marais and their winters in Golden Valley, Arizona.

Gwen had a strong faith and was a faithful member at First Lutheran Church in Glenville. She was active with the Albert Lea and Glenville Senior Citizens and was a member of the Glenville American Legion Auxiliary.

Gwen was an avid Minnesota Twins fan and always watched the boys’ and girls’ basketball tournaments. She loved going on bus trips to the casino, bird watching and spending time with her family and friends — especially her great-grandchildren.

Survivors include her children Michael (Renee) Lee, Jenny (Al Thoms) Turnmire and Robert (Annette Charran) Lee; grandchildren Sarah (Joe VonHagen) Lee, Jesse (Jessica) Lee, Keri (Mike) LeVesque, Sophie Lee, Nick (Kelley) Turnmire, Rachel (David) Bakken, Chris (Katie) Lee and Jason (Mallory) Lee; great-grandchildren Connor Lee, Jaden and Jace Lee, Emma, Ahna and Allie LeVesque, Brendan and Lauren Fredrickson, Avery Turnmire, Isabelle and Betsy Bakken, and Carter and Collin Lee; sisters Olive (Vernon) Schroeder and Eileen Larson; and several nieces, nephews, cousins and many dear friends.

Gwen was preceded in death by her parents Gilbert and Eva Overland; father- and mother-in-law Edwin and Clara Lee; husband, Bernie, in 2007; son-in-law, Gary Turnmire; daughter-in-law, Jo Lee; brother-in-law, Don Larson; and nephew, Daniel Swanson.