Thief River Falls – Gloria Marie Lee, 85, died on Thursday, February 20, 2025, at Thief Falls Care Center, Thief River Falls, surrounded by family.
On July 21, 1939, Gloria was born to Eli and Judith Melvie in Thief River Falls. She attended school in Thief River Falls, Lincoln High School in 1958. She played bass drum in the high school’s marching band. Gloria attended First Baptist Church, where she was baptized as a teenager. Following graduation, she worked as a nurse’s aide in the hospital.
On April 8, 1961, Gloria was united in marriage to Boyce Lee at the First Baptist Church in Thief River Falls. The couple made their home in Thief River Falls and to this union three children were born, Judy, James and David. They lived in St. Paul for a time, before moving back to Thief River Falls. Gloria was a wonderful mother and housewife, who took care of the house and family. In 2017, they began attending Abundant Life Free Lutheran Church, where she played piano and organ. Boyce died on February 5, 2022, and Gloria continued to live at home until moving to the Care Center in December 2024.
Gloria loved to be social and visit family and friends whenever she could. As an active person, Gloria loved to walk and exercise. She loved her family and gave her life to caring for them. Baking, cooking, and sewing were activities she enjoyed. Attending activities, sporting events, choir and band concerts with the grandchildren and great-grandchildren were important to her. Gloria had a wonderful faith and trusted God for all things.
Survivors include her children, Judy (Kurt) Wiseth, James (Naomi) Lee and David (Christina) Lee all of Thief River Falls; 10 grandchildren, Nicole (Cory) Doolittle, Brittany Wiseth, Devin (Josie) Wiseth, Desire (Alex) Reinert, Dannica (James) Anderson, Alex Aehlert, Alisha (Andrew Duhigg) Lee, Nick Lee, Wyatt (MacKenzie) Lee, Jacob Lee; 6 great-grandchildren, Olivia Doolittle, Thomas Doolittle, Mason Reinert, Maverick Reinert, Jimmy Anderson, Josie Lee; sibling, Janice (Arvid) Lee; several cousins, nieces and nephews.
Gloria was preceded in death by her husband, Boyce; parents, Eli and Judith; siblings, Robert Melvie, Earl Melvie, Betty Hanson, and infant twins, Marie and Earl J Melvie.
The service to honor Gloria will be held at 2 p.m. on Saturday, March 1, 2025, at Abundant Life Lutheran Church in Thief River Falls, with Pastor LeRoy Flickinger officiating.
Visitation will be one hour prior to the service.
Burial will follow at Folden Cemetery, rural Newfolden.
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