Royal I Lee

Royal I. Lee, 98, of Mankato died September 15, 2014 at Ecumen Pathstone Living in Mankato, MN. He was born August 28, 1916 in Madison, SD to Irving and Christina (Severson) Lee. He met the love of his life, Harriet Knox, while attending the University of South Dakota; he graduated in 1939. Royal and Harriet were married on June 23, 1945. Royal was dedicated to serving his country and community. He served in the Army's 109th Engineer Battalion, 34th Division during WWII. He took part in the North Africa invasion. He was captured in February, 1943 and remained a prisoner of war for 27 months at Oflag 64 near Schubin, Poland. Royal and Harriet moved to Mankato in 1945 where he was employed by the Mankato Free Press until 1956. He then created the Royal Agency and was self-employed as a property/casualty insurance agent, retiring in September, 1982. He enjoyed golf, bridge, Oflag 64 reunions and traveling with Harriet and their friends. He was a member of First Presbyterian Church where he served the church as a Deacon, Elder and Trustee. He was a past president of the Mankato Exchange Club, was a member of the American Legion and Mankato Lodge #12, AF and AM, Scottish Rite and Osman Temple Shrine. He also served the Boy Scouts of America at the unit, district and council levels; he was awarded the Silver Beaver Award by the Boy Scouts. He was a long time member of the Bullshippers' who meet daily for coffee at the Wagon Wheel Royal is survived by his children, Robert (Pamela) Lee of Onalaska, WI and Deborah (Jim) Hadden of Hartland, WI; grandchildren, Michael (Kristin) of Minneapolis, Mark (Kari) of Holmen, WI, William (Angie) of Brooklyn Park, MN, Kelli (Steve) McClure of Wheat Ridge, CO, Kristen Knutsen of Hartland, WI and Merry Torres of Appleton, WI; great grandchildren Dalton, Tayler, Caitlyn, Hanna, Ryan and Jenny. He was preceded in death by his parents and by Harriet, his wife of 67 years. Funeral services for Royal I. Lee will be held at 11:00 a.m. Thursday, September 25 at First Presbyterian Church in Mankato. Visitation will be held at Mankato Mortuary from 4:00 - 7:00 p.m. Wednesday, September 24, 2014 and continue one hour prior to the service at church. Full military honors will be provided by the American Legion at a family burial. Memorials are preferred by the family and may be directed to the First Presbyterian Church in memory of Royal.