Obituaries

Victor Lee died on August 26^th, 2023 at age 87 after an extended journey with Alzheimer’s disease.  Victor was born on May 1, 1936 in Chicago, IL to Paul Oscar and Johanna (nee Pedersen) Lee and graduated from Foreman High School.  From there he attended St. Olaf College where he met his future wife, Anne.  He graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Economics and received an ROTC commission in the Air Force, with active service at Travis AFB in California and Tachikawa AFB in Japan.  After resigning his Air Force commission, the Lees moved back to St. Charles IL where he lived the rest of his life.

Victor spent his civilian career in manufacturing, starting in Farm Equipment sales for Superior Pipe Specialties Company in Cicero, IL.  In 1964, Victor and his brother Paul bought the Wonder Building company, a steel building manufacturing business.  He spent the next 45 years of his career running this business.

Victor lived a life of service and faith.  If you asked him to describe himself, he would say “I did what needed to be done.”  Among the many service organizations that he was involved were: Pottawatomie Partnership, Habitat for Humanity of Northern Fox Valley, P.R.I.D.E. – the first recycling center in St. Charles, the Bethlehem Lutheran Church Preschool, Lutheran Social Services of Illinois Baker Hotel Senior Living, Bethesda Senior Home in Chicago.  He was a lifetime member of Wasco and St. Charles American Legion Posts #215 and #342.

A long-time member of Bethlehem Lutheran Church, he led a Sunday adult formation called the “Kitchen Class” that focused on outreach and among other things, created P.R.I.D.E. and helped to resettle Laotian refugee families after the Vietnam war ended.  Vic volunteered monthly at the Hesed House homeless shelter, often taking the night shift in the men’s sleeping quarters.  He could often be found running the church dishwasher after a large gathering, setting up and striking tents for the vacation bible school, and doing anything else needed.

Active in Boy Scouts as both a youth and an adult, he lived the ideals of scouting.  He was an Eagle Scout and a member of the Order of the Arrow.  He went to Philmont Scout Ranch twice, once in his youth and again in 1975 with his son and Troop 13.

Victor loved traveling and visited all 50 states and all seven continents including the South Pole Station, Antarctica.  He enjoyed the annual vacations to ski in Breckenridge, CO and frequent trips to “the lake” in the Northwoods of Minnesota.  He valued his friends and family and made strong and lasting friendships in his business and personal life.

Victor was preceded in death by his parents, Paul Oscar and Johanna Lee and his brother, Paul Oscar Lee, Jr.  He is survived by his wife, Anne (Knutson), children, Victor “Terry” (Susan) Lee, Andrea Lee (Glenn McMurray) and Marit (Dane) Broussard, grandchildren Lindsey Lee (Phillip Maple), Madeline Lee, Amanda Harshbarger, Katarina Harshbarger, Jackson Broussard, and many nieces and nephews.

A memorial service will be held at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in St. Charles on Friday, September 22^nd, 2023 at 11 a.m. with visitation at 10 a.m., followed by a luncheon.  In remembrance of Victor’s life, contributions may be made to:

Bethlehem Lutheran Church

Memo: Victor Lee Memorial

P.O. Box 3850

St. Charles, IL, 60174

Alternately: Zelle to leslie@bethlehemluth.org

or

Habitat for Humanity of Northern Fox Valley

Memo: Pottawatomie Partnership

56 S. Grove Ave.

Elgin, IL, 60120

Donation Link

The memorial service will be livestreamed and archived on the Bethlehem Lutheran Church Livestream site.

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