Robert "Bob" Lee

Robert "Bob" Lee, age 87, of De Smet, SD, passed away Saturday, January 21, 2023, at the Brookings Hospital.  Funeral Mass will be at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, January 28, 2023, at St. John Catholic Church in Arlington, SD.  Father Richard Baumberger will be the celebrant with music provided by Julie Sampson as organist.  

Visitation will begin 9:30 a.m. at the church prior to services.

Burial will be at De Smet Cemetery at a later date.

Robert was born June 11, 1935, in De Smet, SD, to Adolph and Lorretta Lee (Lindner). He grew up on a farm that bordered Spirit Lake. It was here that he developed his love for the land and nature. He stayed in South Dakota for his education and earned a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics at South Dakota State University. After graduation, he joined the Marines and became a pilot. When he got out of the service he went to work for Northwest Airlines while remaining active in the Marine Reserves. Robert was blessed with a job that he loved. He always looked forward to a new destination or a new aircraft type. He retired in 1995, and spent the rest of his life in Kingsbury County. Robert married Elsa Karol on June 21, 1959, and they had one child, Scott. Robert enjoyed working on his computer, exercising and charting the stock market.

Robert is survived by his son, Scott (Stephanie) Lee; their children, Lauren Woss and Ashley Lee; his sister, Rose (Ron) Stee and their children, Robyn Jensen and Ryan Stee; his brother, Charles and his children, Kim Lee and Nikki Lee.

Robert was predeceased by his parents, Adolph and Lorretta Lee; his former wife, Elsa Lee (Karol); and his nephew, Tony Lee.

Arrangements by Crawford-Osthus Funeral Chapel    www.crawfordosthus.com    Watertown, Hayti, De Smet, Bryant

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