Larry Lee

Monday, June 19, 2023 5:43 pm

Larry Lee, age 76, of Calmar, passed away on Sunday, June 18, 2023, at the VA Medical Center in Iowa City, after a short battle with stage 4 esophageal cancer.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, June 24, 2023, at Calmar Lutheran Church, with Rev. Peter Kowitz officiating. Burial will be in St. Aloysius Catholic Cemetery in Calmar. Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. on Friday, June 23, 2023, at the Calmar Lutheran Church, and after 10 a.m. at the church on Saturday morning.

He was born July 8, 1946, in Decorah, Iowa, the son of Vernon and Marcella (Frana) Lee. He attended Decorah High School and was a proud member of the Class of 1964.  After school, he enlisted in the Navy and spent life on a ship for 4 years during the Vietnam War. After Larry’s military service, he worked road construction up until his retirement from Downing Construction in 2014.  Larry met the love of his life, Joan, through a mutual friend and was married on Oct. 12, 2002, at St. Benedict’s Catholic Church. He loved music and singing karaoke at The Old Store in Frankville, Iowa, where you could hear Elvis when he sang a song from his favorite singer.  He enjoyed shooting pool and playing cards with friends and family.

He is survived by his wife Joan (Dietrich) Lee, Calmar; his sisters, Bonnie Holkesvik, Brenda McCaffrey, and Karen (Luther) Anderson; his sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law, Betty Dietrich, Gerald Dietrich, Diana (Steve) Urban, Michael Dietrich, David (Mary) Dietrich, Mark (Heather) Dietrich and Maria (Dave) Rankin; many nieces, nephews, great nieces, great nephews and cousins. A father to Ole Vernon Lee and Lena Marcella Lee his two adorable African Grey Parrots who he loved dearly.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Vernon and Marcella (Frana) Lee; his father-in-law and mother-in-law, Paul and Theresa (Blong) Dietrich; his brothers-in-law, David Holkesvik and Jim McCaffrey; his nephew, Lee Holkesvik; and by a brother, David Lee at birth.