Kenneth N. "Ken" Lee, 81, Minot and formerly of New Rockford, ND, died Saturday, December 1, 2012 in a Minot Hospital.

Ken was born September 18, 1931 at Emmet, North Dakota, the son of Harold and Emma (Iverson) Lee. He was raised and educated at Filmore, ND and moved with his family to Maddock, where he graduated from high school in 1949. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy on February 12, 1952 and honorably served his country until receiving his discharge in 1956.

Ken was united in marriage to Sonja Schmid on July 16, 1955 at Red Lake Falls, MN. Following their marriage, they lived at New Rockford from 1956-1976. He became employed with the Burlington-Northern Railroad in 1949 and continued with the company as a dispatcher until his retirememnt in 1995. He and Sonja also owned and operated the Elsie Shop, a ladies dress shop in New Rockford from 1959 until the business was sold in 1962. They moved to Minot in 1975.

Ken was a member of Bethany Lutheran Church, Minot and a former member of the First Lutheran Church of New Rockford, where he served on the Church Council. He also served as a New Rockford City Commissioner and was a member of the VFW, American Legion, NARVE, Elks and Eagles Clubs. He was local chairman and member of the Order of Railroad Telegraphers Dispatch Union.

Ken enjoyed hunting, fishing, watching sporting events and the stock market activities, as well as traveling.

His loving family includes , Wife, Sonja; children, Jaime (James) Swanson, St. Augustine, FL, Janet (Gordon) Shea, Minot, Jason (Pamela) Lee, Maddock, ND and Jane Smith, Minot; grandchildren, Christopher, Alexander, Marnie, Lexie, Sydnie, Payton, Kenadi, Kerringten, & Kaden; sisters, Fern Madsen, Sun City, AZ and Lois (David) Rice, Sun City, AZ; several nieces and nephews.

Ken was preceded in death by his parents and his brother in law, Sherman Madsen.

Funeral service : Wednesday, December 5, 2012 at 11:00 a.m. in Bethany Lutheran Church, Minot.
Visitation: Tuesday from 2:00-7:00 p.m. in the Thomas Family Funeral Home, Minot.
Interment: ND Veterans Cemetery, Mandan.
Memorials: In lieu of flowers or plants, the family prefers memorials to Bethany Lutheran Church.