Laurie L. Lee

ILaurie Lynne Lee, age 66 of Mankato, passed away, December 11, 2025.

Memorial Service 11:00 a.m., January 3, 2026, at Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Mankato.  Visitation will be one hour before service.  Mankato Mortuary assisted with arrangements.  

Memorials may be given to Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Mankato or the Alzheimer’s Association.

Laurie was born February 3, 1959, to Jerome and Margaret (Elletson) Orness.  Laurie graduated from Mankato West High School in 1977. She attended The  University of Minnesota with a full scholarship running cross country and track. She later transferred to Minnesota State University, Mankato where she completed her studies with a Bachelors of Fine Arts in 1981. She managed The Ad Agency in Worthington until she became a mother.  She then dedicated her time to her family as a stay-at-home mother.  After her children were grown, she became an artisan, creating and selling Viking knit jewelry with her mother Marge.

Laurie loved spending time with her family, downhill skiing, and horseback riding.  She was also an avid runner, enjoyed sewing, knitting, baking, making jewelry, crafts, and traveling.

Laurie is survived by her father, Jerome Orness; husband, Jeffrey Lee; two children, Jonathan Lee, and Kiersten (Cory) Anderson; two grandchildren, Lucy and Audrey Anderson; two siblings, Dave (Laurie) Orness and Kari (Jeff) Edwards; nieces, nephews, and extended family.

Laurie was preceded in death by her mother, Marge Orness; great aunt, Inez Olson; uncles, Robert Elletson, Bill Teague, and David Roehl; mother-in-law, Alphie (Larson) Lee and father-in-law, Paul Lee.