Obituary of Olaf Lee

Olaf R. Lee, 91, a resident of Ocala, FL, died April 4, 2009. Born in Dieter Township, Roseau County, MN, he had lived in Ocala since 1994. He began his adult life by acquiring a L.B. Hartz grocery store in Erskine, MN in 1938. It was in Erskine that he met and married his wife of 61 years, Hazel May Bergh. He was given 90 days to settle his business affairs before entering the Navy in 1945. He served with the Seabees at Treasure Island in San Francisco Bay. He was responsible for bakery stores and was aided by the efforts of a number of German prisoners of war. After the war he returned to Erskine, investing the proceeds of his grocery business in a lumber company. In 1949 he moved to Edina, MN and built a home. Two subsequent years were spent in Pasadena, CA working for 3M Company and introducing a new product called Scotch Top. The balance of his professional life was spent in the real estate and land development fields. Retirement brought him to the Cross Lake, MN lake home. In 1986 he moved to Boca Raton, FL and remained there until moving finally to Ocala. His wife, Hazel, died in 2000. He was active in the Aquatenniel Commodores, the Board of Realtors, the Home Builders Association, the Men of Note, Saga Klubben and the chorus of S.P.E.B.S.Q.S.A. while in the Minneapolis area. He was active in the American Legion, Scandinavian Club, Golden Troopers and the Rainbow River Club while in Ocala. He loved music and was an acknowledged master at performing with his unique "Rhythm Bones". Olaf is survived by sons, LeRoy E. (Micki) of Ashland, WI and Dwight D. (Margery) of Cross Lake, MN; by sisters-in-law, June Bergh (Gully, MN), Iona Berry (Oklee, MN), Blanche Robbins (Willard) of Richfield, MN and Myrtle Lee (Badger, MN); four grandchildren, three great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews. He was also preceded in death by his parents, Ole and Ragna, by sisters Alma and Minie and by brothers, Emil, Sandor and Herman. Funeral Service will be April 9, 2009 at 11:00 AM at Hiers-Baxley Funeral Services, 9695 S.W. 110th St., Ocala. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service and Military Honors will be performed by Angela Santos Post #4781 at Florida National Cemetery in Bushnell, FL at 1:00 PM following the service. Memorials may be made to Lund Lutheran Church, Cemetery Fund, 201 S. Main, Gully, MN. Condolences may be posted to hiers-baxley.com.