Katherine Joanne Lee

Katherine Joanne (Skrove) Lee passed away on Saturday, January 24th, 2026, at Bethany on the Lake. She was 89 years old. A Visitation will be held from 5:00-7:00 PM on Friday, April 24th, 2026, at Anderson Funeral Home. A Memorial Service will be held at 11:00 AM on Saturday, April 25th, 2026, at East Moe Lutheran Church in Garfield, MN with visitation one prior to the service at the church. Burial will be at East Moe Lutheran Cemetery following the service.

Katherine Joanne (Skrove) Lee was born on August 28, 1936, in Fergus Falls, MN, to George and Laura (Holm) Skrove of Brandon, MN. Katherine grew up on the family farm outside of Brandon and had fond memories of working with her father in the barn and fields, sewing and crafting with her mother, riding her bicycle to the one-room schoolhouse down the road with her neighbors and lifelong friends, and actively participating in 4-H.

Upon graduation from Brandon High School, she pursued training as a lab technician and returned to the area to work at Bethany Home. After initially meeting her future husband as a 4-Her at the county fair, she reconnected with John Lee while living in Alexandria. They were married on July 7, 1965, and soon began a long career together in Minnesota State Parks after John secured his first Manager position at Crow Wing State Park in Brainerd, MN. They were instrumental in the development of this fledgling park, working tirelessly planting trees, making signage, and overseeing construction of the campground, as well as assisting visitors to the park. During their time in Brainerd, they welcomed three sons into the family.

Their careers in the State Park system would take them to several other parks throughout the state (Fort Snelling State Park in St. Paul, Minneopa State Park in Mankato, Mille Lacs Kathio State Park in Onamia, and Charles Lindbergh State Park in Little Falls) before John passed away in 1978. At that time, Katherine returned to the family farm in Brandon with her three sons to help care for her retired parents.

Katherine was an active member of the American Legion Auxiliary in Brandon, as well as an active member of East Moe Lutheran Church in Garfield. Through East Moe, she worked with the women’s group on many projects for charities including making infant layette kits, school kits, and hundreds of quilts. She enjoyed coffee times and lunches with her many long-time neighbors and friends including her birthday club and her Red Hat club. Her hobbies included gardening, making desserts, reading, quilting and crafting, all hobbies which she passed down to her sons and her granddaughter.

Katherine passed away peacefully on January 24, 2026, surrounded by family. She is survived by sons, Peter Lee (Marc Blakesley), Mark Lee (Kris), and David Lee; and one granddaughter, Sydney Lee (Jesse Lopez). She was preceded in death by her parents, George and Laura; her brothers, Benjamin and Kenneth; and her husband, John.