Kathryn Margaret Lee

Kathryn Margaret Lee, 82, a resident of Presbyterian Homes of Bloomington and a member of Oak Grove Presbyterian Church, Bloomington, Minnesota, sadly died on July 15, 2026, after a life of giving to others in love, service, and kindness. She was born on April 1, 1944, shortly before her twin sister Karolyn Lenore Lee, at the former Starbuck Hospital in Starbuck, Minnesota. Karolyn, also a member of Oak Grove Presbyterian Church, died on September 16, 2025, ten months before Kathryn. They were the daughters of the late Rudolph Thomas Lee and his wife Eleanor [Pederson] Lee of Starbuck. Kathryn attended all twelve grades at the Starbuck Public School, Starbuck, Minnesota, graduating in 1962. She loved music, sang in the school choirs, and played clarinet in the concert and marching bands. Kathryn went to St. Cloud State University, Minnesota for advanced study. Later, she moved to the Moorhead-Fargo area for a job at Moorhead State University in the printing department. She took in-service courses for the purpose of developing expertise in publication design work, and the operation and management of professional printing machines. She became the head printing machine operator for the University, a job she held until she retired. Kathryn was a long-time and very active member of Acapella Express, a Sweet Adelines chorus in the Fargo-Moorhead area. She served as President for Acapella Express for a number of years. Kathy and the group shared their love of barbershop harmony by singing at many community events, sporting events, marathons, concerts, and shows. They competed regularly in regional and national competitions and won awards for singing excellence. Kathryn collected Byers Christmas Carolers and had quite an interesting collection that she loved to share with visitors. Kathy also loved going to stage plays and was a regular donor to the Minnesota State University Moorhead Straw Hat Players. She also went out regularly with a group of women for conversation, companionship, and fun. Kathryn and her sister Karolyn were very close throughout their entire lives. They loved each other as well as being best of communicators and friends. Even though they were roommates only at the beginning and end of Kathy's life, they visited each other often and had a wealth of fun life-experiences together. Throughout their lives, they called each other at bedtime each night to touch base. Her nephew Chris said, As a kid, I loved visiting Aunt Kathy during her regular work weeks. To shadow her for a typical day was to witness a skilled, hard-working print operator, as she moved expertly and efficiently around giant machinery to produce crisp print jobs of all sizes and shapes. But a typical day also revealed wonderful friendships, cultivated through work breaks with her beloved "coffee club" and evening rehearsals with her incomparable Sweet Adelines chorus, where allies in song demonstrated true community while rendering perfect barbershop harmony. Nephew Jon stated, I am struck by the multiple facets of Aunt Kathy's world. They included: Devotion to family. Kathy was the primary caretaker of Grandma Eleanor Lee for many years. Not only did this include daily visits to the nursing home, but also included fighting tooth-and-nail to ensure that Grandma Lee was getting the best possible treatment and care. She then took on the responsibility of being caretaker of her sister Karolyn, even if it was mostly through short visits to Bloomington and phone calls to Karolyn's neighbors and friends. She did all of this selflessly and without question. It was as purely goodwill as possible. Pride in her work. For over four decades, Kathy was the backbone of information dissemination at Moorhead State University. Her print center was always a hub of activity, and she was excited to talk about the latest machine the center acquired and all of its capabilities. Excellence in music. Whether sitting at Grandma Eleanor Lee's organ and tapping out "Five Foot Two, Eyes of Blue" for an audience of just Chris and me, or traveling across the country to take part in massive competitions as a member of Fargo Sweet Adelines, Kathy always demonstrated the joy of music to everyone around her. She often spoke of her high school performances with fondness, and took her love of music with her throughout her life. Kathryn was a member of First Lutheran Church while living in Fargo, ND. But when she visited Karolyn in Bloomington, MN, she enjoyed attending Oak Grove Presbyterian Church with her sister. Then when she moved to Presbyterian Homes of Bloomington, she became a member of that church. She loved and looked forward to the visits, kindness, and spiritual support she received from the pastors and members of Oak Grove. Kathy is survived by her brother Ronald (Marie) Lee and who lives in Kingston, Rhode Island. She is also survived by nephew Jonathan (Leslie) Lee and their children Erik and Amy who live in Rhode Island, and nephew Christopher (Nora) Lee and their children Eleanor and Greta who reside in Connecticut. Kathy also had three step-nephews, Jonathan (Jody) Bender from Colorado, Jeremy (Beth) Bender from Maryland, and Joshua (Katie) Bender from New Jersey and their families. Kathy had many cousins and their children who live in the Midwest. A memorial service for Kathryn Lee will be held at the Chapel at Presbyterian Homes of Bloomington, 9889 Penn Ave S, Bloomington, MN on Saturday, August 29 at 2:00 pm. Following the service, all are invited to join family and friends in the adjacent Atrium for a reception to enjoy light refreshments and continuing conversation. Burial for Kathy and sister Karolyn will be at a later time in the Lee family cemetery plot at Indherred Lutheran Church in rural Starbuck, MN. Memorials in remembrance of Kathryn can be given to Oak Grove Presbyterian Church or a charity of your choice.

Kathryn Margaret Lee

April 1, 1944 - July 15, 2026

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