Gloria Lee

Gloria Viola Island Lee, 96 years old, was born on April 17, 1929, the daughter of Louis and Alma (Christopherson) Island. The only girl in a family of five brothers, Clifford, Lloyd, Roy, Orlin, and Norlin.

Gloria grew up on the family farm north of Elbow Lake, baptized and confirmed at Ness Lutheran Church. She graduated from Elbow Lake High School in 1947. She went to California with her cousin to work after graduation, then returned home and wed Wayne (Bubby) Lee in 1949. They farmed north of Herman until 1976, then moved back to her parents’ family farm. Gloria was an integral part of the farming and bin-moving business operation, all while raising their seven children. She was sole caregiver to Bubby after an accidental fall left him a paraplegic in 1982.

Gloria loved to dance, and before Bubby’s accident they never missed a dance at any venue close by, especially Sunday nights at the Cat’s Eye between Wendell and Elbow Lake. She was a beautiful lady, inside and out, always coordinating her outfits and jewelry every day, even after moving to assisted living. She suffered from recurring brain tumors and went through three major surgeries in her seventies.

In 2009, she visited Norway and met with cousins and second cousins, visiting her parents’ families and the original farm where her grandfather, Gunnerius Island was born.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her brothers, her husband, Wayne, one infant son, Edward, and son-in-law Daryl Carter. She is survived by children, Gary (Gloria), Jeffrey (Sandi), Bonny (Jim Richards), Joni Carter, Brenda (Larry) Dillehay, Robert (Glorianna), and Paul, and granddaughter Jamie, and many grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Her daily saying was “It is a great day to be alive.”

Blessed are the memories of Gloria Lee.

A Memorial Service will be held at 11:00 AM on Friday, March 6, 2026, at the Erickson-Smith Funeral Home in Hoffman with visitation starting at 10:00AM. 

Arrangements by Erickson-Smith Funeral Home.