Beryl A. Lee

Beryl A. Lee (87) passed away peacefully in the early hours of March 30, 2015 at her home in Iron Mountain with her family at her side. She died of cancer that slowly overwhelmed her brave heart. Beryl was born on the family farm in South Dakota on June 27, 1927, the daughter of Grover and Alice Heideman. She was the second of six children and learned early in life the importance of hard work and responsibility. She was educated in a one room school-house across from the family farm. She worked for her room and board to complete high school in town, graduating with honors from Washington High School in Sioux Falls, S. D. in 1945. She went on to attend South Dakota State College at Brookings, S D. to earn a degree in Pharmacy in 1949. Her first job was in Duluth Minnesota where she worked at St. Luke’s Hospital. There she met Robert Lee, also on his first job after college. They were married August 11, 1951 at the Endion Methodist Church in Duluth, MN. They honeymooned on a canoe trip in the Superior-Quetico area. Their children are Mark (Anne) Lee, born 1953 and Martha (Peter) Mitchell born 1955. Beryl’s life centered on her family. She was the rock solid foundation of a wonderful marriage of 63 years that produced two successful families, four grandchildren, and one great grandson. Without her unselfish devotion to her family, the frequent job transfers, career changes, and new schools would not have succeeded. One of these changes brought the family to the Iron Mountain area, where she worked as chief pharmacist for Dickinson County Memorial Hospital until her retirement in 1991. Beryl always had a special place in her heart for all children, encouraging them with a “you can do it!” confidence. She mentored student pharmacists at DCMH, served as a Girl Scout leader, was a Reading Buddy to many grade schoolers, a Big Sister, and surrogate mother to foreign exchange students from Japan, Denmark, and Taiwan. All remember her with love and respect. The visitation will be held on Saturday, April 25, 2015 from 10:00 am to 11:00 am at the Erickson-Rochon and Nash Funeral Home in Iron Mountain. A memorial service in her honor will be held at 11:00 am at the funeral home with a luncheon served at Trinity United Methodist Church after the service. In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund will be created to assist local schools with special book or activity needs. Beryl will be sorely missed by family and friends, but we are comforted by the knowledge that she passed away in a familiar home without pain and surrounded by family and friends. She has moved on to a better world and her family will be sustained by all the good memories she left with us. The family wishes to thank The Order of St. Francis Home Care Services for their kind care. We also thank our many friends and neighbors for their cards and generous casseroles. All were greatly appreciated. Condolences may be expressed to the family of Beryl A. Lee online at www.ernashfuneralhomes.com. The family has entrusted the Erickson-Rochon & Nash Funeral Home of Iron Mountain with the funeral arrangements.

Beryl A. Lee

June 27, 1927 - March 30, 2015