Irene F. Lee

Irene Fae Lee was born on November 18, 1933, in Roseau, Minnesota, to Charlie H. and Sara Alice (Rodman) Bishop. She grew up north of Roseau by Minnesota Hill and attended grade school in the Roseau Lake area. Her family later moved north of Badger, where she attended Badger High School, graduating in 1951.

After graduation, Irene worked in Wadena, Kennedy, and International Falls.

On May 12, 1952, Irene married Delbert Lee of Badger, Minnesota, in Ross, Minnesota. The couple moved to International Falls, where Delbert worked at the paper mill. In 1958, they returned to Badger and began farming after acquiring dairy cattle. Irene was a hardworking farm wife who helped with fieldwork and cared for the cattle, while still finding time to cook meals, bake homemade bread weekly, tend her garden, sew, and help with homework. She was confirmed on April 4, 1965, at Roselund Church in Badger, Minnesota.

Irene enjoyed many things in life. She loved fishing, four-wheeling, camping with friends, and spending time with family. She played cards and dominoes until her eyesight began to fail. She also enjoyed playing bingo and listening to music. Irene and Delbert attended local threshing bees and were lifetime members at Rollag. They were also faithful members of Roseland Church.

Irene and Delbert spent 47 years together on the farm before moving to the Badger Creek Apartments, where they celebrated 60 years of marriage. After Delbert’s passing, Irene moved to Ageless Care in Roseau and later to Roseau Manor. She was a well-liked woman.

Irene is preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Delbert; her sisters, Shirley (Norman) Merkin, Zella (Melvin) Lee, and Zelora (Austin) Lentz; her brother, Clarence (Esther) Bishop; and other half-brothers and sisters.

She is survived by her children, Sandra (Clark) Sather of Detroit Lakes, MN; Sanford (Spring) Lee of Clarksville, TN; Jimmy (Audrey) Lee of Warroad, MN; Allan (Annette) Lee of Warroad, MN; Sonia (Doug) Heppner of Warroad, MN; Linda (Mike) Palmquist of Warroad, MN; David (Sandy) Lee of Roseau, MN; and Wayne (Sonia) Lee of Greenbush, MN. She is also survived by 19 grandchildren, 26 great-grandchildren, 1 great-great-grandchild, as well as several nieces and nephews.

Mom was a Proverbs 31:10–31 woman. She would recite John 3:16 and the Lord’s Prayer almost weekly. She loved when I read the Word to her, would sing “What a Friend We Have in Jesus,” and loved talking about heaven. She often shared that she was looking forward to being with our Lord.

A Funeral Service for Irene F. Lee will be held on Saturday, March 7, 2026 at 11:00AM at Helgeson Funeral Home in Roseau, MN. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service at the funeral home. Interment will take place at Badger City Cemetery at a later date.

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