Dennis M. Lee

Dennis M. Lee passed away on December 17, 2024, at Bethany Lutheran Village in Centerville, Ohio.   He was preceded in death by his parents Ed and Elaine Lee (nee-Lenhartz), his sister, Linda Lee and his  wife, Joyce Lee (née Bock).   Dennis is survived by his wife, Phyllis Harover and his two daughters, Michelle Daniel (Eric) and Anne Jones (Andy), and his four grandchildren, Ellie Jones, Ian Jones, Harper Daniel, and Duke Daniel.  He is also survived by his sister, Patricia Bartolotta (Jim) and several in-laws and nieces and nephews.

Dennis grew up in Plainview, Minnesota, where he excelled in sports, particularly basketball, and was known for breaking a backboard in a tournament. His basketball talents earned him a spot in the Plainview High School Hall of Fame. He was also a trombone player and sang in the choir.  Adding to his list of achievements was achieving his Eagle Scout Award.  He was baptized at St. Joachim Catholic Church and served as an altar boy while growing up.

After receiving an Associate degree in engineering from Rochester State in Rochester, Minnesota, Dennis began his 39-year career with NCR in the technical department, inspired after watching an NCR cash register repairman.  He enjoyed troubleshooting problems and finding solutions to fix them.

In his free time, Dennis enjoyed refereeing basketball, coaching his daughters in their sports endeavors, and woodworking. He created beautiful and functional pieces, including cribs and high chairs for his grandchildren. After Joyce's passing, Dennis met and married Phyllis.  They enjoyed attending their grandchildren's events, traveling, and spending winters in Florida.

Two memorial services will be held to celebrate Dennis' life. The first will be at Davids United Church of Christ in Kettering, Ohio on March 15, 2025, at 11 am. The second, at Dennis' request, will be in his hometown of Plainview, Minnesota, at St. Joachim Catholic Church, his childhood parish. Visitation will be at 10 a.m. with funeral mass to start at 11 a.m.  Burial of his cremation ashes will take place at St. Joachim cemetery next to his parents and sister on March 18, 2025. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to the PEM scholarship fund for Plainview High School seniors involved in sports and music.   Donations can be left at Schad and Zabel Funeral home.