Charlotte Jean Lee

age 63, of Dayton, died on Wednesday, August 22, 2001, at Miami Valley Hospital, after complications following heart surgery a week earlier. She was born in Decorah, IA, on July 28, 1938, to Violet and Clarence Wilkins, the third of four children, including her twin sister, Charlene, an older sister Rosalie and an older brother, Harvey. Her home church, First Lutheran in Decorah, was a vital part of her life from the earliest days. She was baptized, confirmed, and married there. Charlotte graduated from Decorah High School in 1956 and from Luther College in Decorah in 1959. She married James A. Lee on August 23, 1959, entering a new phase of her life that carried them through 42 years of marriage, with four children and four grandchildren. She taught school in Ypsilanti, MI, and St Paul, MN, during their early years together, and returned to teaching in Dayton, OH, from 1983-85. Her husband served 27 years in the Air Force, including two assignments at Wright-Patterson AFB, followed by 10 years in the aerospace industry. Upon his retirement in March 1999, they returned to Dayton to again be close to their children and grandchildren. During service assignments that included Ann Arbor, MI, Albuquerque, NM, Washington, DC, Boston, MA, Dayton & Canton, OH, Charlotte raised four beautiful children who were the joy of her life. Always active in her local Lutheran Church, she taught Sunday School, led Bible studies and served on committees, always witnessing by her firm belief and trust in her Savior and provider. Charlotte was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s Disease in 1961 and given 3 to 5 years. She responded miraculously to radiation therapy, and lived an added 40 years with a full and rich life for which she gave thanks daily. Looking to the future with trust in God’s care, she was excited to have surgery to replace heart valves damaged by long term radiation effects. Her surgery on August 15, 2001, was a success, but later complications during recovery resulted in heart failure a week later. To the very end, she was a dynamic witness to her faith and a continuing inspiration to her family and all who knew her. Charlotte is survived by her husband, James, and four children and their families; sons Alan Lee and wife Debbie and grandchildren, Anna and Aaron; Rev. Jeffrey Lee and wife Heather; and Terry Lee; and daughter Vicki Campbell and husband Scott and grandchildren Ian and Brenna. She is also survived by her brother C. Harvey Wilkins and wife Charleen and their 3 children and families; by her sister Rosalie Gulbrandson and husband Ken and their 3 children and families; by her twin sister Charlene Kunkle and husband Lee and 6 children and families; and a host of other relatives and friends scattered across the country. Memorial services celebrating Charlotte’s life and witness will be held on Sunday August 26, 2001, at 4:30 pm at the Lutheran Church of Our Savior, 155 East Thruston Blvd, Oakwood. Funeral services will be held on Saturday September 1, 2001, at First Lutheran Church, 604 West Broadway, Decorah, Iowa, with burial following at Phelps Cemetery in Decorah. Memorial contributions may be sent to the Lutheran Church of Our Savior in Oakwood, OH.

Visitation:
Private
US

Funeral Home:
Oakwood Routsong Funeral Home
6 Oakwood Ave.
Oakwood, OH
US 45409