Lee Emerson Bass, 81, of Owatonna, formerly of Hope, passed away April 10, 2016, at his home surrounded by his family. Lee was born February 10, 1935, in Westbrook, MN. He was the son of Harrison and Dorothy (Berger) Bass.
Lee graduated from Westbrook High School in 1953. He served in the U.S. Army from 1953 to 1955. Lee was united in marriage to Marlys Leske on May 12, 1957, at the Evangelical United Brethren Church in Buffalo Lake, MN. He managed the Hope Elevator from 1960 to 1976. He later worked at various grain companies and retired from Jennie-O-Turkey Store.
Lee was a devoted husband and father. He always enjoyed spending time with family and friends. He loved attending sporting events of all his children and grandchildren. Playing cards, board games and reading were his favorite pastimes and he shared them with everyone. Lee was a great listener; if you needed advice or just an ear, he was your guy.He is survived by his wife Marlys of 58 years; daughters Kerry (Brian) Bice of Owatonna, Kayla (John) Pfeifer of Portland, OR, Kristy (Charlie) Karsten of Owatonna, Kim (Sal Kammerlander) Bass of Brooklyn Park, MN; 12 grandchildren; 22 great-grandchildren; brother John Bass of Westbrook, MN; sisters JoAnn Bartlett of Yankton, SD, and Mary (Gary) Drever of Redwood Falls, MN; sister-in-laws Evelyn Bass of SD, and Diane Bass of WA; brother-in-laws Marlo (Genevie) Leske and Darrel (Ann) Leske, both of Buffalo Lake, MN; and many nieces and nephews.
He is preceded in death by his parents, son Kevin Bass, sister Leona Ackman, brothers Luke and Ralph Bass, two sister-in-laws, two brother-in-laws, and one niece.
Funeral services will be held on Saturday, April 16, with visitation at 10 a.m. and funeral to follow at 11:30 at United Methodist Church in Ellendale, MN. Interment will be at Berlin Township Cemetery with Military Honors provided by the American Legion and the VFW of Ellendale. For more information or to leave a condolence go to www.brick-megerfuneralhome.com.