Robert V. Lee

Robert V. Lee, age 92, of Flandreau, died Friday, January 17, 2020, at the Avera Brady Home in Mitchell. Bob’s family will have a private service for Bob due to the SD inclement weather, a memorial service will be held at a later date. Bob would not want anyone driving in SD winter conditions.

Robert V. Lee was born to Julius and Gladys (Peterson) Lee on July 7, 1927 on a farm near Colman, SD. Bob and Darlene Loiseau were married at the Little Brown Church in the Vale on September 8, 1928. Bob had recently said “Darlene is waiting for me.” Darlene passed on November 21, 2015 and Bob joined her on Friday, January 17, 2020. Bob’s heart had worked for many years and the time was here to rest and join Darlene  with his loved ones in heaven.

Because Bob was about to turn 18 the Draft Board would not let him complete his senior year. He enlisted in the US Naval Reserve in 1945; he served active duty in the Philippines and Pacific Ocean. He was discharged in 1946 and placed in the inactive US Naval Reserves.

Bob worked many jobs and was a Jack of all Trades. His younger days he delivered ice in his own ice truck, a ’33 cut down Plymouth. He worked with his Dad in his sheep business, worked for the Lee Motor Co., Lee Brother’s (JO and Harold Lee) Construction, travelled to build rural electric lines and grain bins.

Bob and Darlene’s daughter, Connie was born in 1951 and they made their home at the Colman farm where they farmed and raised sheep with Bob’s Dad and Uncle Harold. Bill was born in 1952; he and his wife, Dawn live on the Colman farm.

Bob could no longer farm after 10 years due to serious hay fever and allergies. Bob went back to school at South Dakota State College (SDSU) in Brookings, graduating in 1964, 1966, and 1967. He was the Industrial Arts teacher, EEO, Vocational counselor, drafting instructor. Bob retired in 1990 with 23 years of civil service time and 31 years of social security time.

They bought a hobby farm west of Flandreau in 1971 where they had 3 vegetable gardens, flowers, sheep, chickens, dogs, cats, and fed birds. Bob worked on trucks, tractors, machinery, cars, favorite was his VWs, read books and newspapers, and doing all he could to help someone in need; before cell phones someone was calling or knocking at all hours. Bob had a sign by his door “Let me live by the side of the road and be a friend to man”. He was and he’d talk to them like he’d known them long and was happy to see them.

To remember his stories, jokes and gift of spreading happiness the survivors  are his daughter Connie, her husband Richard Popejoy of Dimock, SD; his son Bill, his wife Dawn of Colman, SD; 2 great grandchildren Linnae from Dimock and Jacob from Brookings. His step grandchildren Jamie from Lead and Carrie from Rollinsville, CO. His granddaughter Deaun Perez and 2 great granddaughters Paige and Kayla of Sioux Falls.   He has many cousins, nieces and one nephew.

Bob was preceded in death by Darlene, his parents JO and Gladys, his sister Lois Kension, and his grandson Jason.

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