Norman Vander Lee

Rock Rapids, IA

     Norman Vander Lee age 86 of Rock Rapids, Iowa died Monday, November 23, 2020 at Avera McKennan Hospital in Sioux Falls, SD, from the COVID-19 virus.

     A public visitation will be Sunday, November 29^th from 2:00 to 5:00 PM at Jurrens Funeral Home in Rock Rapids. The Vander Lee family will not be present. Social distancing guidelines will be followed, and masks will be required.

     A private family graveside will be Monday, November 30^th at Riverview Cemetery in Rock Rapids.

     In lieu of flowers memorials may be directed to the Paul Vander Lee Endowment Scholarship Fund with Hope Haven INC.

     Norman Dwight Vander Lee was born March 5, 1934 at Boyden, Iowa, the oldest of four children born to Tunis and Gertrude (Van Roekel) Vander Lee. At the age of one, Norm’s family moved to Lake Wilson, Minnesota, where they lived for 10 years. During this time, Norm accepted the gift of salvation at the early age of 10. In 1945 they moved to a farm near Sheldon, Iowa. He attended rural country school and graduated from Sheldon High School in 1952. He continued his education at Northwestern Junior College from 1952 to 1954. There, Norm met Ruby Jayne De Wild and they were united in marriage on August 16, 1955.

     Norm taught elementary school for three years before continuing his education at the University of South Dakota, where he earned an accounting degree.

     In June of 1959 Norm and Ruby moved to Rock Rapids, where he became an employee at Kooiker Chevrolet Sales Company. He worked in most of the departments of the dealership and gradually bought stock beginning in 1970. The dealership became Vander Lee Motors in 1989. Norm was affiliated with the dealership for 60 years. He loved the dealership, all the different aspects, and the people associated with it. His life centered around his work and family. Norm and Ruby also became members of First Reformed Church in Rock Rapids and he served in many roles and positions of leadership.

     Norm and Ruby were blessed with four children, Rollie, Jerry, Ruth Ann and Paul. Their son, Paul, died from meningitis at the age of 8 years in 1980.

     Ruby and Norm also were blessed with many years of traveling, visiting all 50 states and taking five trips abroad. They loved the Senior Citizen Bus Tours and went on 100 different trips. He and Ruby were best friends. On January 31, 2016 Norm’s wife of 60 years, Ruby died. Norm continued working at the dealership and attending community activities.

     This past Monday, November 23, 2020 Norm died at Avera McKennan Hospital in Sioux Falls at the age of 86.

     He is survived by two sons, Rollie (Ruth) Vander Lee of Rock Rapids and Jerry (Nancy) Vander Lee of Sioux Falls, SD; daughter, Ruth (Mike) Vogel of Sheldon, IA; 10 grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; a sister, Glenda (Don) Riemersma; a brother, Merlyn (Elaine) Vander Lee; a sister-in-law, Marjorie Vander Lee; and other extended family members.

     He is preceded in death by his parents, Tunis and Gertrude; wife, Ruby Vander Lee; a son, Paul Vander Lee; and a brother, Myron Vander Lee.