Oliver Lee, 94, Minot, formerly of Kenmare, died Saturday, December 1, 2012 in a Minot Hospital.

Oliver was born June 17, 1918 at Hartland, North Dakota, the son of Malinius "Matt" and Emma (Foss) Lee. He was raised and educated at Hartland, graduating from Hartland High School in 1936. He attended the North Dakota State School of Science in Wahpeton and specialized in welding, auto mechanics and diesel engines along with participating in baseball and basketball there. He also had attended school in St. Paul, MN.

During his younger years, Oliver moved to the Portland, Oregon area, where he was employed by a local wheat farmer for three years. He returned to North Dakota and briefly worked in the Buxton area for an uncle.

He was united in marriage to Frances Askvig of Carpio on October 6, 1940 at Minot. They lived at Harvey for a short time before moving to the Hartland area, where they began farming in Ree Township, while living in Carpio.

Their children, Darwin, Elda and Dale were born before the moved to their lifelong family farm north of Kenmare and Marcia was born thereafter. Their life was spent raising their children and farming small grains in Denmark Township. They retired in 1987 and moved to Minot. In 1969, Fran and Oliver began wintering in Mesa, AZ and continued to do so until 2009.

Oliver lived life to the fullest, enjoying many activities, with his faith being the center of his life. He was a member of Bethany Lutheran Church, Minot. He had served on the Ree and Denmark Township Boards, served on the ASCS Committee and the Nazareth Lutheran Church Council in Kenmare, as well as the Kenmare School Board. He enjoyed playing horseshoes and had received numerous awards in North Dakota and at National and World tournaments, excelling to the point of winning a third place trophy at the World Championship Tournament in the last 10 years of his life. He attended car races, played pool, enjoyed bowling and watching ALL sporting events.

Oliver's loving family includes, wife, Frances, children, Darwin (Sharon) Lee, Westhope, Elda (Gary) Sorenson, Mesa, AZ, Dale Lee, Wichita, KS, Marcia (Brad) Robertson, Bottineau, ND;29 grand, great grand and great-great grandchildren, along with several nieces and nephews.

Oliver was preceded in death by her parents, grandson, Chris Sorenson, brothers, John and Norman, and sisters, Gladys, Ruth, Emma.

Funeral service : Thursday, December 6, 2012 at 1:00 p.m. in Bethany Lutheran Church, Minot.
Interment: Rosehill Memorial Park, Minot.
Visitation : Wednesday from 2:00-7:00 p.m. in Thomas Family Funeral Home, Minot.
Memorials are preferred to Metigoshe Ministries or Bethany Lutheran Church Technology Fund.

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