Lonnie L. Lee

Lonnie L. Lee, 65, of rural Independence, died Saturday, August 22, 2015 at his home. Lonnie was born September 19, 1949 in Whitehall, Wis., to Tilford and Margaret (Olson) Lee. He married Kathryn “Katie” Helgeson October 30, 1971 at SS. Peter and Paul Catholic Church, Independence. Lonnie grew up in Roskos Valley, rural Independence, and graduated from Independence High School in 1967. Lonnie was a Viet Nam War veteran and served in the U.S. Army from 1969-1971. He graduated from the carpenter apprentice program at CVTC in 1979. He worked for R.J. Jurowski Construction from 1974 until retirement in 2011. Lonnie belonged to Carpenter’s Local #1074 and Sura-Wiersgalla American Legion Post 186. He was a deer hunter, fisherman, Packer, Badger and Brewer fan. He loved his Norwegian heritage. He adored his grandchildren and loved being called “Papa Lonnie”. He is survived by his wife, Katie of Independence; daughter, Heather (Paul) Franzwa of Mondovi; son, Nathan (Carmen) Lee of Independence; four grandchildren, Jenna and Ryleigh Franzwa and Jonah and Greta Lee; brother, Hensel (Sue) Lee of New Berlin and sister, Lois (Jim) Walek of Milwaukee. He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Charles and infant sister, Audrey; father-in-law and mother-in-law, Robert and Rita Helgeson. Rite of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, August 26, 2015 at SS Peter & Paul Catholic School Gymnasium with Very Rev. Woodrow H. Pace officiating. Burial with military rites will be in the SS Peter & Paul Catholic Church cemetery. Visitation will be held from 4-8 p.m. Tuesday, with a prayer service at 7:30 p.m. at Edison Funeral Home, Independence, and one hour prior to services at the school on Wednesday. In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to SS. Peter & Paul Catholic Church Restoration Fund or school. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Lonnie L. Lee, please visit our flower store.