Pauline Lee

1940 - 2025

Pauline Lee, 84, died on June 26, 2025, surrounded by love. She had late-stage dementia and spent the last few years of her life in memory care in Prairie Village, KS.

Pauline loved music, dancing and being with family. She was born in Kingsley, IA, and was raised in the Sioux City area by her parents Ernie and Evelyn (Plumer) Maack. She married Lt. Eugene Kenneth Lee, an Army officer, in 1962. Pauline was the consummate military wife, caring for their two kids while Ken completed a tour in Korea and two tours in Vietnam. She coordinated moves with the family to several posts, including to Bangkok and Seoul. They retired in Manhattan, KS, where Pauline worked as an administrative assistant and volunteer for many years and where she was an active member of the League of Women Voters. For several years, she also served as the sole caregiver to Ken, who had become severely disabled as a result of his military service.

She is survived by her son, Col. Eugene K. Lee II (Jean) of Xenia, OH; her daughter, Dr. Janet Lee, of Prairie Village; her sister, Lynn Thompson, of Independence, MO; her sister-in-law, Sue Maack, of Le Mars, IA; and several cousins, nieces and a nephew. She also leaves behind her best friend, Marilyn Ray, of Manhattan.

Her husband, parents, mother-in-law, brother Lanny, two nephews and many other beloved family members and friends preceded her in death.

A celebration of life will be held October 12 in Omaha, and a small graveside service will be held at Fort Riley Cemetery in Kansas, where Ken is buried, on October 14. We will love and miss her forever.