Charles R. Lee

A memorial service will be held at 10:30 a.m., Thursday, September 4, 2014 at the First United Methodist Church where a reception will be held immediately following. A visitation will be held from 3 to 8 p.m., Wednesday, September 3 at Ochiltree Funeral Service, where family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Memorials may be directed to the First United Methodist Church, Winterset. Charles Robert Lee was born November 13, 1927 in Winterset, Iowa to Chris and Mary (Burd) Lee. He graduated from Winterset High School in 1945 and later served in the United States Navy. He married Geraldine Howell on December 24, 1948 at The Little Brown Church in Nashua, Iowa. Following graduation, he attended linotype school in Charles City, Iowa, learning the printing trade. Charles was a printer all of his career. He first worked for the Winterset Madisonian and then Meredith in Des Moines, which was later purchased by R. R. Donnelly, where he retired in 1989 after a 45-year career. In addition to his printing work, Charles also farmed. He was an active, longtime member of the First United Methodist Church of Winterset. Charles loved the outdoors and enjoyed fishing, hunting, and boating. His kids also recall that he enjoyed playing the harmonica and drawing sketches. Charles loved nothing more than the joy he received from being with his family. Charles died Wednesday, August 27, 2014, at West Bridge Care and Rehab in Winterset. He was 86 years old. He is survived by his wife of 65 years, Geraldine “Jeri” Lee; his 3 children, Beccy (Steve) Hartman, Randy (Barb) Lee, and Teri (John) Gambrall all of Winterset; his sister, Rose Anne (Dean) Meisenheimer of Greenfield; 10 grandchildren—Jennifer (Jason) Harper, Sara (Darren) McDonald, Kerri (Chad) Halverson, Chris (Mandy) Lee, Erin (Jim) McCarter, Levi (Amanda) Lee, Jasmine (Nick) Greb, Nick Gambrall (Connie Eshelman), Ethan (Ariel) Gambrall, and Maddy Gambrall ; 15 great-grandchildren—Gabrielle Morgan, Jordan Hartman, Sam Sutherland, Dakota McDonald, Emma Halverson, Addy Halverson, Karsyn Halverson, Zach Halverson, Megan Lee, Molly Lee, Ari Lee, Esme Lee, David Lee, Jimmy McCarter, and Barrett Greb; 5 step grandchildren—Stacie Beverlin, Matt Witt, Drew (Crystal) Witt, Travis (Jennifer) Witt, and Brad (Katie) Witt; 17 step great-grandchildren—Colten White, Kazlynn White, Josie Beeson, Jackson Beeson, Taylor McDonald, Chasity Bolinger, Kayden Witt, Cole Witt, Clay Witt, Tristan Keeton, Tresilla Keeton, Tavannah Keeton, RyAnn Witt, Rylie Witt, Peyton Witt, Aubrey Witt, and Ethan Witt; extended family and a host of friends. He was preceded in death by his parents.