James D. Lee

James Douglas Lee was born February 28, 1944 in Devils Lake, ND, and passed away at his home in Sioux Falls, SD on January 11, 2017.  James was the son of Victor and Olga Lee.  He grew up in Devils Lake, ND and graduated from Devils Lake High School in 1962.  He first attended Lake Area Junior College in Devils Lake and then furthered his education by attending Valley State College in Valley City, ND, where he earned a degree in business.   Jim was an athlete and participated in football and basketball at the high school level and furthered his basketball career at the college level.  Jim worked in the telephone business in many different areas for 41 years and eventually retired at a managerial level.   He married Linda Ludwig on October 18th, 1969.   As a result of this union, they were blessed with 3 children, Teri, Rhonda and Matthew.   Jim loved spending time with his family.  He loved taking his family boating and camping in the summers.  He was an avid outdoorsman and enjoyed hunting.  One of his favorite hobbies was taking his most faithful companion Joe out hunting with his son Matt.   Jim was a handyman.  Throughout his life, his hands built many things, including finishing many basements and building a home for his family.  He had an amazing work ethic and took pride in what he accomplished and taught his children how to care for the things they have.   Jim was a positive man.  He faced many adversities throughout his life, but always managed to see the good in every situation.  He was very ill the last several years of his life and had more pain than he ever let his family know, yet he was always quick to dismiss his own situation and compliment the efforts of those who helped care for him. Towards the end of his life he still had such joy in sitting in his recliner watching the interactions of his wife, children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.  The brightness of his face and smile could light up the room.   Grateful for having shared his life are his wife Linda, his three children Teri Somsen of Sioux Falls,  Rhonda Raue (Mike) of Harrisburg, and Matthew Lee of Sidney MT, Grandchildren-Brittany Zubke (Justin), Kelsie Somsen (Austin), Courtney Somsen (Noah), Alex Lee, Anna and  Abby Anderson, Draven, Lucas, and Beau Partridge, Kelsey,  Greely and Hayden Raue.   Great Grandchildren Hayden Letcher and Emma Mae Zubke, Brother-In-Law Vern and Sister-In-Law Kay and Judy Brother-in-Laws: Cliff (Karen) Ludwig and Bob (Marcy) Ludwig and several Nieces and Nephews. Preceded in death by his father Victor and mother Olga, step-father Olaf, brothers: Don (Bev), Sherman, Newt and sisters Caryl, Edith and Marie. A Funeral Service will be held on Friday, July 28, 2017 at Peace Lutheran Church, Devils Lake, ND with the Reverend Lyle Belleque officiating. Burial will be in the Devils Lake Cemetery. Gilbertson Funeral Home, Devils Lake