The Funeral Service for Rev. Jerome A. Lee "Jerry", age 74 of Elgin, will be held at 10:30am MT, Tuesday, September 29, 2009 at Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church in Elgin. Bishop Mark Narum and Rev. Richard Smith will officiate with burial at 1:00 pm CT, Wednesday, September 30, 2009 at Grace Lutheran Church in Driscoll, ND.


Special music will be provided by Kelsay Parker and Annette Roth.


Serving as casketbearers are Jerry's son, Michael Lee and son-in-laws, Andrew Bronson, Douglas Oslund, Brad Eilers, and Jason Gange.

JEROME ALBERT LEE "Jerry" was born on a farm March 21, 1935 at Geneseo, ND to Halvor and Alta (Olson) Lee. He was baptized and confirmed at Bergen Lutheran Church. He attended rural schools in Marbo and Tewaukon Townships until graduating from the eighth grade. He graduated from Augustana Lutheran Academy in 1953 and later from Concordia College in 1957. Jerry enrolled in the Luther Bible Institute for two years. He graduated from Luther Northwestern Seminary and was ordained in 1963. He enrolled in Clinical Pastoral Education for two years at the State Hospital in Jamestown under the supervision of Rev. Al Sherve. Through the years, he earned 12 more CPE credits.


Jerry and Nancy Martinson were married in 1959 in Wisconsin. Two children, Michael and Anita, were born to this union.


Pastor Lee served several parishes, beginning with Reeder, ND; International Falls, MN; Driscoll, ND; Rolette and Overly, ND; Velva, ND; and Hjerdahl, Stenkjar, and North Prairie of rural Velva, ND. From 1995 to 2000, Pastor Lee also served as chaplin of the North Dakota State Penitentiary.


Jerry and Bonnie Eichenberger were united in marriage on May 29, 1971 at Kintyre, ND. Three daughters, Amelia (Amy), Julie, and Jodie were born to this union.


Following six short months of retirement, Pastor Lee served as an Interim Pastor for parishes in Reeder, Hettinger, Willow City, Metigoshe, Harvey and Elgin, ND where he served until his death.


Jerry and Bonnie enjoyed several trips to Alaska and the East Coast. He enjoyed visiting with people of the community, playing cards, watching sports, attending family gatherings and time with grandchildren. He was a farmer at heart and especially enjoyed springtime and harvest. Jerry enjoyed history, reading and was always learning. He always enjoyed his Colorado hunting trips with his brother Marvin and family. Jerry thoroughly appreciated life and ministry in rural North Dakota. He found it a privilege to share in the lives of those he was called to serve.


Shortly after being diagnosed with aggressive cancer, Jerry died on Wednesday evening, September 23, 2009 at his daughter's home in White Bear Lake, MN


Surviving family members include his wife, Bonnie, Elgin, ND; 1 son and daughter-in-law, Michael and Lori Lee, Apple Valley, MN; 4 daughters and sons-in-law, Anita and Andrew Bronson, Chanhassen, MN; Amelia "Amy" and Doug Oslund, White Bear Lake, MN; Julie and Brad Eilers, Mandan, ND; Jodie and Jason Gange, Alexandria, MN; 16 grandchildren, Joshua, Abigail, and Grace Lee; Nichole Michaud, and William Bronson; Signey, Simon, and Nora Oslund; Madison Jansky, Ian, Lilee, Georgia, and Giahna Eilers; Jager, Kinslee, and Berklee Gange; his mother, Alta Lee, Fargo, ND; 1 brother and sister-in-law, Marvin and Donna Lee, Denver, CO; 4 sisters and brothers-in-law, Joyce and Jim Phillips, Plano, TX; Lenay and Harlis Langager, Mesa, AZ; Gayle and Robert Nelson, Crookston, MN; Mary and Lynn Jordheim, Fargo, ND; numerous nieces, nephews, aunts, cousins, a host of friends and members of Zion Lutheran Church.


He was preceded in death by his father, Halvor; brother, Robert, and an infant granddaughter, Elizabeth Lee.


Visitation will be Monday 1:00 to 7:00 pm followed by a family service at 7:00pm, all at Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church in Elgin.