Rosella Marie LEE

LEE Rosella Marie (Vajen) Rosella Marie (Vajen) Lee, 90, of Sylvania, passed away peacefully on April 25th, 2011, surrounded by her family. Rose, as she was known, was born at home on the family farm in Flatrock Township, Henry County, on November 23, 1920, the eldest of five. She was preceded in death by her husband, Jack; her parents, Carl Henry and Ella Catherine (Welz) Vajen, and her two younger brothers, Robert J. (Bud) and Lloyd C. Vajen. She is survived by her sisters, Mildred "Aunt Mickey" Tomanicek of Genoa, Norma "Aunt Toot" Nagel of Defiance; sons, John Stephen, Michael Vajen, Christian Roy (Shelly) and daughter, Cynthia Lee Smet (John); grandchildren Stephanie, Carrie, Matthew, Andrew, Peter, Jack, Alexis Rose and Troy, and great granddaughters, Emma and Ashlyn. After graduating from Florida High School in Henry County as valedictorian of her class, Rose moved to Toledo, where she attended Davis Business College and later worked as an executive secretary for the head of the Chevrolet plant. In 1949, she met and married John A. (Jack) Lee, a local boy who had graduated from DeVilbiss High School and had served as a bombardier/ navigator in the 8th Air Force during the World War II. Together they owned and operated - - as fast-food pioneers--the Holland House Restaurant, home of the "Moronburger", on Holland-Sylvania Road in the early 50's. Jack cooked the hamburgers, and Rose was the cashier, and they lived above the restaurant. It was one of the first drive-thrus in Ohio, featuring a speaker where customers could order while in line and then pick up their food at the window--a revolutionary concept at the time. On Friday nights after the local football games, it was said that the cars were lined up for blocks down the street as hungry customers waited to place their orders. Rose supported Jack unfailingly throughout his entire career in the food business, which was built on his expertise learned here in Toledo. They moved many times during their 48 years of marriage, living in Indiana, Ohio, Florida, Virginia, Oregon, Puerto Rico and Nevada before finally settling in California. After Jack's death, Rose returned to live in Toledo in the year 2000. She was an avid bridge player all her life, and an excellent quilt maker, but her proudest achievements were her children, who will always remember her as the supportive, loving and wonderful mother that she was. Friends will be received Friday, April 29th, from 3-8 PM at the Walker Funeral Home and Crematory, 5155 Sylvania Ave (west of Corey) where visitation will continue at 10 AM on Saturday, April 30th and services will follow at 11 AM. Interment will be in Ottawa Hills Memorial Park following the service. The family would like to thank the wonderful caregivers of Comfort Keepers for all their love and help, the nurses on the 5th floor at Flower Hospital for their advice and care, and finally, the amazing staff of the Hospice of Northwest Ohio (Detroit Av/Arlington) for their help, care and support during the last days of our beloved mother. Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of Northwest Ohio, 30000 E. River Rd., Perrysburg, OH 43551. Online condolences may be shared with Rose's family by visiting our website at www.walkerfuneralhomes.com .