Virgil Howard Lee

Virgil Howard Lee, 79, of Oronoco, MN. died peacefully Thursday, January 28, 2016 at Shorewood Senior Living in Rochester surrounded by his family. Virgil was born July 29, 1936 in Town of Coon, Wisconsin to Oscar and Inga (Solberg) Lee.He graduated from Westby, WI High School in 1953 and served in theU.S. Air Force as a medic during the Korean War.Upon returning he received his pharmacy degree from the University of Madison and became the Director of Pharmacy at the University of Wisconsin Hospital. On August 12, 1961, he married Hazel Everson at Coon Valley Lutheran Church in Coon Valley, WI. In 1976 he was appointed the Assistant Director of Pharmacy at St Marys Hospital/Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN where he served for nearly 20 years. He went on to work in many southeastern MN community pharmacies until 2010. His care and compassion to his patients was only surpassed by his love of farming and his family. The love of his life, Hazel, passed away in 1993. Virgil is survived by five children; sons, Brian Lee of Oronoco, MN; Eric (Amy) Lee of Winona, MN, Rodney (Suzanne) Lee of Pine Island, MN., and Kevin Lee of San Diego, CA; daughter, Nancy (Glenn) Solie of Orono, MN; brothers, Clayton Lee, Marvin (Helen) Lee, Duane Lee, Glen (Mary) Lee, all of Westby, WI; and Roger Lee of Holmen, WI; sister, Hazel (Hilmer) Anderson of Westby, WI; eleven grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.He was preceded in death by his wife, Hazel; three sisters, Clarice Hilke, Elaine Mickelson and Irene Stendalen; and two brothers, Otis and Alton. A funeral service will be held on Monday, February 1, 2016 at 11:00 a.m. at Coon Valley Lutheran Church 2005 Central Avenue Coon Valley, WI.with Reverend Mitzi Miyamoto officiating.Seland Funeral Home Coon Valley, WI will be assisting with arrangements.Visitation will be Sunday, January 31st from 3:00 to 5:00 pm at Ranfranz and Vine Funeral Homes 5421 Royal Place NW Rochester, MN and also 1 hour prior to the service on Monday at the church in Coon Valley, WI. Burial with military honors will be in Coon Valley Lutheran Cemetery in Coon Valley, WI.In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to the Knutson Memorial Library, Coon Valley, WI.To share a special memory or condolence, please visit www.ranfranzandvinefh.com Ranfranz and Vine Funeral Homes 5421 Royal Place NW Rochester, MN 55901