Grace Lee passed peacefully to her heavenly home, surrounded by her loving daughters on November 17, 2018, at the McKenzie County Health Services in Watford City, ND.
Grace Phyllis Gilbertson was born June 22, 1925 on her family’s farmstead in the Spring Creek community south of Watford City, North Dakota.
She was the 3rd of 4 daughters born to Katherine (Eberle) & Gilbert Gilbertson. Grace attended Wonderland Rural School until attending high school in Watford City graduating in 1942. She then attended Minot State Teachers College. After receiving a 2 year teaching certificate she taught school in the original 10x12 Danielson log home in Dunn County. Grace also worked in the Office of Price Administration (OPA) until it closed after the war in 1945.
On January 27, 1946 Grace married Vernon Lee in the First Lutheran Church parsonage as the church had burned to the ground just days before the wedding. They made their home on the Gilbert Lee homestead farming and ranching where they were blessed with 6 daughters. They enjoyed 64 years together until Vernon’s death November 17, 2010. They now share a heavenly birthday.
Grace was a member of First Lutheran Church and active in Peace Circle and the Roosevelt Park Homemakers. She sewed beautiful clothes for her girls over the years and crocheted precious afghans for each of 10 grandchildren and 22 great grandchildren with 2 on the way! She never forgot a birthday & we all looked forward to receiving her heartfelt greetings in the mail.
Grace and Vernon enjoyed many years traveling in their motor home sightseeing and visiting family and friends and later they enjoyed 20 years as snowbirds in Mesa Arizona.
Grace is remembered for her kind and gentle spirit, with always a pleasant smile and greeting for all. She has enjoyed living at the Horizon Assisted Living the past 5 years where she reconnected with childhood friends and formed wonderful new relationships. She loved to read, do puzzles and was always ready for a board game or bingo.
Left behind to treasure her, are daughters Judy (Roger) Lee, West Fargo, ND; Joann (Fred) Zehr, Cedar Rapids, IA; Jennifer (Curtis) Sorenson, Watford City; Jacky Bolken (George Kane), Wildomar, CA; Julie (Mark) Anderson, Fargo, ND. Grace had ten grandchildren, 22 great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.
Grace was preceded in death by her parents, Gilbert & Katherine Gilbertson; her beloved husband, Vernon; and her precious daughter, Janice; three sisters, Josephine Neubauer, Irene Nering, and Ruth Avery.