Howard Burton Lee, 102, passed away peacefully with his wife, Gladys, at his side on April 3, 2022, in Brookings SD.  Funeral services will be held on Saturday, April 9, 2022, at the First Lutheran Church in Volga, beginning at 10:30 A.M.  Burial will immediately follow the service at First Lutheran Cemetery in Volga.  There will be a time of fellowship and sharing of a meal at the church following family's return from the cemetery.  Visitation will be held the evening prior, Friday, April 8, 2022, at the Eidsness Funeral Chapel in Volga from 5:00 until 7:00 P.M.

Howard was born in Volga SD on June 25, 1919, to Charles and Amy (Hammer) Lee, where he lived almost his entire life. He was one of Volga's most respected business and community leaders and widely known as a man of integrity, kindness, generosity and humility. Howard was a 1937 graduate of Volga High School. He studied two years at Augustana College before transferring to South Dakota State College, where he completed his bachelor's degree in economics in 1941.  Howard got his start after college as a high school teacher and band director in Wessington SD. One year later, in December 1942, he enlisted in the Navy to serve in WWII.  He courageously served from 1942 to 1945 and spent more than two years at sea as a communications officer on the USS Boise. While on the Boise, Howard was involved in numerous engagements in the Mediterranean and Pacific, including the Battle of Letye Gulf, the largest naval battle in history.  Howard returned to Volga after WWII to work at the First National Bank. In 1947 he began his  graduate studies at the University of Iowa, where he completed his masters degree in business in 1949.  After graduate school, he accepted a position teaching and directing the band at Waldorf College in Forest City, IA.  It was there he met Gladys Egertson. They were married on June 25, 1950 in Petersburg, MN.

Shortly after they were married, Howard and Gladys moved to Volga, where Howard resumed his career in banking, retiring from the First National Bank in 1983 as President and Chairman of the Board.  Howard had a heart for serving others. This was evident throughout his entire life, and well into his retirement.  He was tremendously active in his church and his community in ways that are far too numerous to list here.  He loved music and loved sharing his musical gifts with others, participating in and directing vocal and instrumental music groups well into his 80's. At his 100th birthday party, he played the harmonica for his many guests. For as long as he was able, Howard stayed active and in later years would often be seen riding his bicycle around Volga for exercise and fresh air.  He was even known to deliver meals on wheels on his bicycle well into his 90s , when weather permitted.  Most importantly, Howard was a man of faith who loved his family unconditionally and quietly led by example.  He was proud of his family and took every opportunity to make sure they knew it!

Howard is survived by his wife Gladys, five children: Charles of Volga; Kristin (Ron) Bortnem of Marshall, MN; Curtis of Reno, NV; Walter (Debbie) of Lake Elmo, MN; Ronald (Lori) of Crosslake, MN. Eleven grandchildren:  Jennifer, Amy, Jill, Ryan, Kari, Taylor, Jeffrey, Jaime, Justin, Madeline, Ethan.  Fourteen great grandchildren:  Averie, Easton, Parker, Rylan, Nicholas, Seth, Kaia, Macee, Lyndy, Keyan, Ayden, Kallee, Ty, Jordan. One brother Lawrence (Pete), Phoenix, AZ, and many nieces and nephews.

Preceding Howard in death were brothers: Leonard (in military service), Walter (in military service); parents: Charles and Amy; sisters: Ruth Ann Strande, Harriet Halverson.

Howard's family will be forever grateful to the committed and compassionate staff at the  Neighborhoods in Brookings, where he lived the final five years of his life.  He would have loved  to be able to live out his final years in Volga, but the Neighborhoods became home for him, and in many ways, the staff became like family.