George Lee's funeral service will be available via livestream at: https://youtube.com/live/RrrUk6LMGXw?feature=share

George "Joe" Lee, age 82, passed away on Saturday, November 16, 2024 at Dougherty Hospice in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.

George Ottis Patrick Lee surprised his parents, Melvin and Irene (Ottis) Lee by arriving two months early on March 19, 1942 in Minot, ND. Because of his fight for survival during the first days of his life, the nurses dubbed him "G.I. Joe," and the nickname stuck. Joe attended Minot Model School from grade one until his graduation in 1960. He then attended Minot State College where he received his Bachelor's Degree. (He went through 16 years of school on the same campus). Also while at MSU, he and his good friend were the State Doubles in Tennis Champions in 1964.

After graduation from MSU, Joe attended the University of North Dakota on a graduate assistantship where he taught physical education and coached the UND tennis team. While at UND he met and married his wife of 58 years, Susan. He and Susie moved to Sioux Falls and began their teaching careers in 1967. During his tenure as a SFPS teacher, Joe taught at Lincoln and Mark Twain Elementary Schools, Axtell Park Junior High, and Washington Senior High School. He coached many different sports, but his favorites and most successful were wrestling, cross country, and tennis.

One wonderful aspect of teaching is the time off in the summer, and George and Susie made the most of it. They built a cabin on Sandy Shores at the Lake of the Woods in northern Minnesota in 1978, and the family spent the next 43 summers enjoying the lake life. Joe was a gardener, a canner of jelly, a fisherman, and a hunter; he developed a mastery of all those activities. He was also a master of the grill, and his grilled garlic toast was the stuff of legends! Once they were both retired, the Lees spent the cold months exploring warmer climates. They varied their destinations frequently, but Joe's favorites were Port Aransas and the Sea of Cortez. He could fish at both places!

George and Susie were blessed with three wonderful daughters: Katy in 1970, and Mary and Maggie in 1974. They were the light of his life. He encouraged them to participate in extracurricular activities, and he was always their cheerleader… even when their team was competing with his school. He was so proud of them and the lives they have built.

Joe is survived by his wife Susie; his daughters Katy Huckle, Mary (Ricky) Thompson, and Maggie (Jordan) Sogn; grandchildren Tommy and Susie Huckle, Joey, Maggie, and Audrey Thompson, and Dorothy Sogn; sister Lois Aaberg; brothers-in-law David Hill and Jon (Paula) Hill; sisters-in-law Sally (Jim) Swanson, Corinne Hill, and Johnie Hill; many nieces and nephews; and his faithful dog Shirley. He was preceded in death by his parents Melvin and Irene; his brother Vernon and his wife Nita; his sister Betty Ann and her husband Harry; his infant brother Robert; his in-laws Lloyd and Harriet Hill; his brothers-in-law Walter Aaberg, Gary Hill, and Jim Hill; and his sister-in-law Jean Hill.

A Celebration of Life will be held at 11:00 am on Saturday, January 11, 2025 at Miller Funeral Home – Southside Chapel (7400 S Minnesota Ave., Sioux Falls, SD) with family present one hour prior for visitation. Memorials may be directed to Promising Futures Fund (834 S. Phillips Ave., Sioux Falls, SD) or the charity of your choice.

Blessed be the memory of George Ottis Patrick Lee, beloved husband, father, grandpa, brother, uncle, and friend.