Duane F. Lee

Duane F. Lee, age 93, of Oldham, SD, died Thursday, Jan. 30, 2025, at the Good Samaritan Society in De Smet, SD. Services will be 2 pm, Friday, February 7, 2025, at Oldham Lutheran Church with visitation one hour preceding the funeral at the church. Burial will be at the Oldham Lutheran Cemetery.
Duane Francis Lee was born on November 11, 1931, at his grandmother's home in Oldham to Leonard and Mae Lee. He grew up on a farm near Oldham and attended one-room country schools until continuing his education at Oldham High School, graduating in 1949.
He was united in marriage to Verna Uglem on July 15, 1951, at the home church of both of their families. They lived in Oldham for a while before farming northeast of Oldham. In 1959, they purchased a farm two miles north and a half-mile East of Oldham. There the family continued to raise crops, tend the land, and established a Grade A dairy. He enjoyed livestock, agriculture, and stewarding the land. Later they retired to Oldham where they continued to be part of the community. Family and faith were always priorities in Duane's life.
Over the years as a member of Oldham Lutheran Church, he served as council president, deacon, and held positions with Medary Conference and the South Dakota Synod ELCA where he especially enjoyed serving on the Rural Ministry committee. He served 14 years on the board of directors of Kingsbury Electric Cooperative Inc., seven of those as board president. He was a long-time member of Farmers Union and chair of the Kingsbury County Chapter of Dakota Rural Action.
Grateful for sharing his life are two daughters Laura Campbell of Spearfish and Tracy Lux (Barry Jensen) of Bismarck; two sons Randy Lee of Sioux Falls, Joseph (Lannyl) Lee of Granite Falls, WA; nine grandchildren: Andrew (Jessica) Lee, Jon Lee, Lindsey (Jim) Hayes, Jennifer (Shawn) Roth, Shelly (Alec) Welch, John (Abbey) Lux, Morgan Lee, Dawson Razee (Saviera Divante), Trevor Razee; one sister Juanda Jensen; and eleven great-grandchildren with one on the way.
Duane was preceded in death by his wife Verna, his parents, and one sister Phyllis Leonhardt. The family of Duane appreciate all the expert care he received while living at the Good Samaritan Center in DeSmet.
Blessed be the memory of Duane Francis Lee.
www.ellsworthfh.com
Services
Visitation
Friday
February 7, 2025
1:00 PM to 2:00 PM
Oldham Lutheran Church
113 S Epton Ave
Oldham, SD 57051
Funeral Service
Friday
February 7, 2025
2:00 PM
Oldham Lutheran Church
113 S Epton Ave
Oldham, SD 57051
Interment
Friday
February 7, 2025
3:00 PM
Oldham Lutheran Cemetery
218th St
Oldham, SD 57051