Cleo M Lee, formerly Cleo (MacMonagle) Hartsoch was born on April 21, 1926 at the St. Alexis Hospital in Bismarck, ND to John Hugh and Christine (Fueher) MacMonagle of McKenzie, ND. They lived in various places in North Dakota where her father taught school. They settled in White Earth in the early 30’s where Cleo attended school and graduated in 1944. She enrolled in telegraphy school and worked for the Great Northern Railroad in and around Minot during WWII.
On Sept. 22, 1946 she was united in marriage to Maynard Clayton Hartsoch. They began their marriage living in Temple and later moving to the family farmstead raising four sons and one daughter. Their home became the place for Sunday dinners and holiday gatherings. Summers were spent on family camping trips, fishing at “The River”, or visiting Dad’s sisters in Colorado. A favorite memory growing up was the smell of fresh baked cinnamon rolls and buns awaiting us when we would get home from school. Mom was a talented seamstress and made many beautiful outfits for her children and grandchildren. She also keep them warm with the many sets of sweater, hats gloves and scarves that she knit. Maynard passed away on May 17th, 1971. Cleo continued to farm alongside her son until October 26th, 1975 when she was united in marriage to Ernest Lee of rural White Earth. Ernest and Cleo combined their two families and now the holidays found their home full of love and laughter and lots of Norwegian pastries and delicious food and a rare sighting of the Easter Bunny.
Cleo taught Sunday school and Bible school in Zion Lutheran church, sang in the church choir and was an active member in Zion Ladies Aid and later Norman Lutheran church. She was a member of the Temple Homakers club, Sons of Norway, the Red Hatters Society and various farm and community organizations. Cleo lived her faith and we are all comforted by her love of Christ and the joy that she anticipated at being reunited with her loved ones in Heaven. She was preceded in death by her infant daughter Corrine Mae, Husband Maynard Hartsoch, sisters Mildred Epperly and Elvira MacMonagle, three brothers Hugh, Dean and Kenneth MacMonagle, grandson Jon Charles, daughter-in-law Melisa Marie, step sons David Lee and Rick Cummins and second husband Ernest Lee.
Cleo is survived by her children, son Dixon (Sheryl) Hartsoch, and grandson James. Son Roger (Patricia) Hartsoch and grandchildren Bradley and Savannah. Son Gregory (Peggy) Hartsoch and grandsons Michael (Megan) and Dennis (Joanna). Daughter Sharon (Keith) Anderson and grandchildren Jeff (Tiffany), Jennifer (Mark) Belitz, Jacob (Trishia) and Kristen Mesker. Son Bradley Hartsoch and grandchildren Christopher (Kelsey) and MacKenzie (Andrew) Johnson. Stepdaughter Judy (Gene) Hegstad, and grandchildren Michael (Nia), Matthew (Josie), and Julie, stepdaughter Loraline Cummins , stepson Myron (Vickie), grandchildren Shayne (Ashley),and Austin. Grandson David Lee. Sisters Bonnie Gunderson and Kathy Nielsen, one brother Dwight (Ruth) MacMonagle, a dear friend who called Cleo her second mom, Nola Williams as sell as 32 great grandchildren, 1 great great granddaughter and numerous nieces, nephews and good friends.

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