Gary K. Lee, age 80, of Decorah, Iowa, passed away peacefully on Dec. 17, 2020, at Wellington Place.

Memorial services will be held on July 17, 2021, at First Lutheran Church in Decorah. Burial will be the afternoon of July 17 at Sunset Rest Cemetery in Northwood, Iowa.

Gary Kent Lee was born March 27, 1940, in Aberdeen, S.D., the son of Sophus Walter and Adelyne (Miller) Lee. He was baptized by Rev. A.J. Gravdal at Milnor Lutheran Church, Milnor, N.D. He was confirmed by Rev. Oscar Mikkelson at First Lutheran Church in Northwood, Iowa.   Gary excelled in music, sports, and academics. He graduated from Northwood High School in 1958. He knew from an early age that he wanted to pursue the ministry in the Lutheran church. Gary chose to attend St. Olaf College. In his freshman year at St. Olaf, he toured as a vocal soloist with the St. Olaf Band. In his Sophomore year he transferred to Luther College where he sang in the Nordic Choir under Weston Noble ‘43 for three years. He graduated with a major in Classics in 1962.

Gary met Geraldine (Freeman) Lee ’61 while at Luther College and for six weeks was too nervous to ask her out. Finally his roommate, Jerry Lerum ‘63, called Gerry and posed as Gary to get him a date. All worked out and Gary and Gerry were married on July 28, 1962, at Vinje Lutheran Church in Willmar, Minn., by the Reverend Paul Hanson.

Gary attended Luther Seminary in St. Paul, Minn., graduating in 1966. He served his internship at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Grosse Pointe Farms, Mich. In 1966 he was ordained at First Lutheran Church in Northwood, Iowa, and he took his first call to Williams Bay Lutheran Church in Williams Bay, Wis. Gary was their first full-time minister, and the church grew strong and remains an active and vibrant congregation today. He was very proud of the church and was happy to have been a part of their history. He was also a Contact Chaplain at Walworth Correctional Center.

In 1973 Gary, Gerry and their children moved to Cresco, Iowa, to take a call at First Lutheran Church. He was passionate about preaching and knowing the congregation. While in Cresco Gary supervised thirty-three interns from various seminaries. He saw the internship program as a means for him to contribute to the wider Lutheran church. During his time in Cresco, he also served on the Library Board, started the Howard County Substance Abuse Council, and served on the Peace and Reconciliation Task Force for the Northeast Iowa Synod. He continued as pastor at Cresco until his retirement in 2005.

In January of 2005 he received the Faithfulness in Ministry award from Luther Seminary. In their remarks about the award, the seminary said, “In his 32 years at First Lutheran Church, Lee has built a reputation as a gifted preacher, an insightful theologian, a compassionate counselor, and an innovative leader. But his dedication to training future leaders of the church has left perhaps the greatest legacy. First’s reputation as a top-notch internship site has developed because of Lee’s belief that interns should have a full pastoral experience–teaching, preaching, visitation and collegial reflection.”

In 2000, Gary and Gerry bought their first home in Decorah, Iowa. Gary continued to preach for surrounding congregations in northeast Iowa after retirement. He also served as a chaplain at Aase Haugen Rest Home in Decorah. Gary enjoyed being a part of the lives of all the congregations he served.

A highlight for Gary and Gerry was meeting Gary’s “Lie” (Lee) Norwegian relatives for the first time while on a trip to Norway in Aug. 2007. Among all of the visits, they were able to stay on the original family farm.

Gary is survived by his loving wife, Gerry (Freeman) Lee ‘61, three children and seven grandchildren. Kent Lee ‘87 (Denise): Nathaniel Lee ‘15, Joshua Lee (Lauren); Stephen Lee ‘90 (Ann (Edwards) Lee ’90): Sophia Lee, Elijah Lee; Anne (Lee) Hagen ‘92: Kajsa Hagen, Svea Hagen and Britta Hagen. He is also survived by sisters-in-law Marie Lee and Jane Freeman, many nieces, nephews, cousins and dear friends. Gary loved his family deeply.

Gary was preceded in death by his parents and brothers John (Marie) and Bruce, and Gerry’s parents Leoan and Ernest Freeman, and in-laws Wanette and Frank Bills, Virginia and Harley Sweep, and John Freeman (Jane).

Memorials may be given in his name to the Building Fund of First Lutheran Church at 604 W. Broadway St., Decorah, IA 52101, or Luther College, c/o Development Office, 700 College Dr., Decorah, IA 52101, or to Luther Seminary, 2481 Como Ave., St. Paul, MN 55108.