Ben Joe Lee, 91 years, of North Platte, NE, passed away surrounded by his family on Saturday, April 18, 2015, at Great Plains Health in North Platte.
Ben was born the sixth of 13 children to Harry Edward and Rosa Lucinda Greeley Lee on December 11, 1923, at North Platte where he grew up and attended school. Ben worked for the family before joining the U.S. Army in 1943 . Following his discharge in 1946, Ben returned to North Platte and hired on with the Union Pacific Railroad as a Fireman before being promoted to Engineer. Ben retired from the railroad in 1985 and had been President of UTU Local #7.
On January 23, 1946, a double wedding ceremony was held in Norton, KS where Ben was united in marriage to Clara Lottie Ohlsen and her sister, Betty, married Ray Smith. Clara and Ben made North Platte their home and had been married for 54 years when she passed away in 2000.
Ben married Bertha Mae ‘Birdie’ Teutsch on May 11, 2002, at the First Christian Church in North Platte.
He had been an active member, deacon and trustee of the First Christian Church and a member and Past Master of Platte Valley Lodge #32 AF&AM. Ben was also an active member of the Tehama Shrine, North Platte Shrine Club, P.R. Halligan Post #163 American Legion, V.F.W. #1504, North Platte Honor Guard, Eagles #2839 and Winter Dance Club. Along with his many church and fraternal activities, Ben also enjoyed morning coffee with his Masonic brothers, playing golf, traveling and he loved to dance.
He is survived by his wife, Birdie, of North Platte; his children, Sandee (Russ) Berggren, of North Platte, Karen Killham, of Lincoln, NE, and Bruce (Beth) Lee, of Thornton, CO; stepsons, Rodney (Berta) Olson, of Broken Bow, NE, and Jerry (Rose) Olson, of Long Beach, MS; eight grandchildren, Jenifer (Chris) Foust, Kelli (Todd) Smith, Christopher (Amy) Berggren, Owen (Emily) Killham, Evan Killham, Adam Killham, Rebecca (James) Greene and Ryan (Melodee) Lee; 12 great-grandchildren; two great great-grandchildren; 10 step grandchildren; 23 step great-grandchildren; two step great great-grandchildren; three sisters, Dorothy Miller and Ruth Carlson, of North Platte and Daisy (Don) Musser, of Tryon, NE; and numerous nieces, nephews, and other family.
Along with his wife, Clara, Ben was preceded in death by their infant children, Charles and Baby Girl Lee; parents, Harry and Rosa Lee; three brothers, Walter, Clyde and Robert Lee; six sisters, Phyllis Marshall, Agnes Kelley, Opal Barnes, Ruby Houk, Pearl Williams and Eva Everett; and his best friend, Mike O’Rourke.
Funeral service will be 10 a.m. Wednesday, April 22, 2015, at the First Christian Church with Pastor Tim Adams officiating. Burial with military honors and Masonic Rites will follow in Fort McPherson National Cemetery. Visitation will be from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday and Tuesday at Odean Colonial Chapel at C & Sycamore. Condolences may also be shared at odeanchapel.com. Memorials are suggested to the North Platte Shrine Club, Paws-itive Partners or First Christian Church. Odean Colonial Chapel at C & Sycamore is in charge of arrangements.