Our amazing Mother, Flora Emma Menzel Lee, passed away Wednesday, March 30, 2016 surrounded by the love of her Familee near and far.

Flora was born, April 7, 1918 to Walter and Cornelia (Kaeding) Menzel in Ziebach County, SD. She was the oldest child and joined brothers, Robert, Lewis and Frederick. The family moved to Dupree when she was a second grader.

Mother moved to her beloved Spearfish after high school graduation at the age of 17. She worked at the Spearfish City Cabin Camp earning tuition to attend Spearfish Normal School. Within a year she earned her 1st Grade Certificate and started a lifelong teaching career. Mother taught in Ziebach County for two years, while working on advancing her degree.

Mother married Kenneth M. Lee in Dupree on June 22, 1941. Married life started on a farm near Flandreau, SD. The couple moved to Egan, where she taught, and started their Familee. Children, Sharon, Glenda and Ken were born in Egan. A move to Flandreau added three more children to the Familee, Sally, Peggy and Gary. The Familee lived in Flandreau for 12 years where she was a 1st grade teacher and started the Kindergarten program.

In 1960 the Familee moved to Mother's beloved Spearfish. She spent the next 27 years teaching as an Elementary classroom teacher and ended her career as a Music teacher in the Spearfish School District. Mother earned her BS Degree from Black Hills State College in 1964 retiring in 1982.

Mother's love of music started at a very early age and lasted until her final days. She was accompanist for many contest participants, gave piano lessons, was a church organist, she accompanied the Sr. Citizen's Choir and founded and directed the Sr. Citizen Happy Times Band for 25 years.

Mother was a kind and caring person. She was quick witted and was great with the one-liners. She enjoyed bowling, traveling, playing cards and tennis. She was blessed with wonderful friends, Lola, Gean, Jessie, Irene, Edna Mae, Vonnie, Tommie and Leo.

Mother was a lifetime member of Order of the Eastern Star, Beta Sigma Phi, Delta Kappa Gamma, Royal Neighbors and American Legion Auxiliary. She was active in Lawrence County Retired Teachers, Spearfish Sr. Center and was a member of the Spearfish United Church of Christ.

We are fortunate and grateful that Mother spent the last two years of her life in the loving care of Lindsey, Danielle and all of the caregivers at Belle Estate.

She is loved and will be missed by her Familee: Sharon (Denny) Dodge, Glenda Boehner and Bill Hammond, Ken (Maribeth) Lee, Sally (Gary) Hoff, Peggy (Ron) Junek and Gary Lee; grandchildren: John, Lori, Bobby, Karie, Chris, Steve, Carolyn, Larissa, Meredith, Ryan, Kevin, Colette, Megan, Courtney, and Alex; Great-Grandchildren: Lauryn, Jake, Talia, Miranda, Angie, Emily, Caleb, Charlotte Flora, Cali, Harper, Matthew, Allyson, Wil, Rylyn, Megan, Mason, Madi and Myles; Great-Great Grandchildren: Sydney, Macie, Rhett, Kollin, Adrian, Rylan, Amiah, Jaylen and many caring nieces and nephews.
Mother joins in Heaven her parents; Husband, Kenny; Granddaughter, Megan; Brothers, Robert, Lew and Fred; all of her sisters and brothers-in-law and many wonderful friends.

Visitation will be from 3-5 PM on Sunday, April 3, 2016 at Fidler-Isburg Funeral Chapel in Spearfish. Funeral services will be at 10:00 AM on Monday, April 4 at the funeral chapel. Burial will follow at Black Hills National Cemetery. In Lieu of flowers, a memorial has been established to the Spearfish Senior Citizens Center and the Flora Menzel Lee Music Scholarship Fund at BHSU.

Arrangements are under the care of Fidler-Isburg Funeral Chapels and Crematory Service of Spearfish.