Lois Jean Lee

Lois Jean (Duke) Lee

February 27, 1933 – September 12, 2025

Lois Jean Lee (née Duke) was born on February 27, 1933, in Lakeview, Oregon, to Myrtle and Ross Duke. She spent her early years on "the ranch" south of Lakeview with her parents and her older brother, Ross Jr. ("Skip"), who preceded her in death on July 31, 1976. Lois and Skip attended Crane Creek, a one-room schoolhouse, for their elementary education.

When Lois was 12, the family moved into town and later welcomed three more children: twin girls, Carol and Connie, and a son, William ("Bill") Duke. Lois graduated from Lakeview High School in June 1951.

She married her sweetheart, William ("Bill") Lee, on March 27, 1953, in Healdsburg, California. They shared 66 wonderful years of marriage.

Lois and Bill made their home in Lakeview and, for a short time, in Medford during the early years of their marriage. During that period, they welcomed their four children: Richard, Joseph, Cynthia, and Susan.

In 1964, the family moved to Northern California, where Bill pursued a career in law enforcement. Lois worked a variety of jobs, including positions with the Willits Police Department and Remco Hydraulics. When the family settled in Ukiah, she worked for Mendocino County Social Services for several years.

In 1975, Lois, Bill, and their daughters, Cindy and Suzy, moved back to Medford, where she and Bill operated a small family grocery store with Bill's brother and sister-in-law, Cloe and JoAnn Lee. Ten years later, they returned to California, where Lois resumed her career in Social Services until her retirement. Afterward, she and Bill moved to Eugene, Oregon, where Lois continued her service-minded work with a nonprofit organization providing after-school care for children.

In 2012, Lois and Bill settled in Medford, Oregon, where Bill passed away in 2019.

Lois, known as "Sosie" to friends and family, is survived by her four children and their spouses: Richard and Sondra Lee, Joe and Leslie Lee, Cindy and Don Hoskisson, and Susan Mathistad. She was the proud grandmother of Erik and Bronwyn Mathistad, Erika and Isaac Wine, Ross and Jill Lee, Katie and Chris Buich, Amanda and Casey O'Hara, Lily Lee, Gabriel Lee, Tristan Lee, Brittney and Ben Bailey, and Mya and Dallas Cluff. She also leaves behind 13 great-grandchildren, all of whom brought her great joy.

Lois is also survived by her sister, Carol Fullerton of Beaverton, Oregon, and her brother, Bill Duke of Grants Pass, Oregon. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Bill Lee; her parents, Myrtle and Ross Duke; her brother, Ross Jr. ("Skip") Duke; and her sister, Connie.

Lois will be remembered for her strong faith, warmth, generosity, and deep love for her family. Her strength, humor, and kind spirit touched everyone who knew her. Lois Jean Lee