Lee Ronhovde

Lee O’Neill Ronhovde, 74, of Barrett, Minnesota, died Thursday, February 12, at the Barrett Care Center.

Lee was born March 8, 1951, in Glenwood, Minnesota, to Ardis (Pederson) and Merton Ronhovde. He was raised on the family farm, first homesteaded by his great-grandfather Ole K. Alvstad in 1870. The farm is in Lien Township, southwest of Barrett, and it’s where his lifelong love of nature and farming began.

Lee was baptized and confirmed at Immanuel Lutheran Church. He graduated from Barrett High School in 1969. He studied welding at Alexandria Technical School and began farming on his own in 1971. On July 15, 1972, he and Patricia Dahl were married at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Barrett. They were blessed with two daughters: Anna Christine, in 1976, and Gina Lee, in 1979. In 2012, Lee was thrilled to become a grandfather to Hadley.

Lee served on the Peace Lutheran Church council, the board of Elbow Lake Co-op Grain, and the Bethesda Cemetery Association.

Despite health problems, Lee considered himself the luckiest person in the world because he was able to do what he loved: farming. Working in the fields alongside his brothers, daughters, other family, neighbors, and friends over the years meant the world to him. He had a deep appreciation for the land and a strong connection to nature.

Lee loved his family, the Minnesota prairie, ripe wheat fields, the Dakotas, history, World War II planes, Native American culture, small towns and diners, being generous, Men’s Breakfast at Peace Lutheran Church, the Swedish Chef, Lonesome Dove, being an uncle, road trips, the month of June, threshing bees, classic cars, visiting with friends, meeting new people, playing Roy Orbison and Dire Straits songs, dogs, his high school days, and his mother’s rhubarb crisp.

Lee was preceded in death by his parents; his beloved brother, Clyde; sister-in-law, Kathy Dahl; brother-in-law Gene Robison, in-laws Solveig and James Dahl; nephew, Eric Dahl; and his golden retriever, Bailey.

Lee is survived by his wife Pat; daughters, Anna (Tom) Edens of Burnsville and Gina Ronhovde of Arcadia, California; granddaughter, Hadley Edens; brother, Todd (Sheila) Ronhovde; sister, Kay Robison; sisters- and brothers-in-law, Karen (Steve) Ellis, Jon (Becky) Dahl, and Tom Dahl; and several nieces, nephews, cousins, and many friends.

We kindly ask that memorials be given to a charity of your choice. Undesignated memorials will be given to the Grant County Humane Society.

The family extends sincere thanks to the Barrett Care Center for their wonderful care, Pastors Mark Mathews and Jean Ohman, Vivie Hospice, and all the great friends who called and visited him often.

A Memorial Service will be held at 11:00 AM on February 28, 2026, at Peace Lutheran Church in Barrett with visitation starting at 10:00AM.

Arrangements by Erickson-Smith Funeral Home.