Gloria Lee

Gloria Viola Island Lee, age 96 of Elbow Lake, Minnesota, passed away Saturday, February 28, 2026, at Pioneer Care in Fergus Falls, Minnesota.

Visitation for Gloria Lee will be held Friday, March 6, 2026, from 10:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. at the Erickson-Smith Funeral Home in Hoffman, MN.

Memorial services for Gloria Viola Lee will be at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, March 6, 2026, at the Erickson-Smith Funeral Home in Hoffman, MN.

Gloria grew up on the family farm north of Elbow Lake, baptized and confirmed at Ness Lutheran Church. She graduated from Elbow Lake High School in 1947. She went to California with her cousin to work after graduation, then returned home and wed Wayne (Bubby) Lee in 1949. They farmed north of Herman until 1976, then moved back to her parents’ family farm. Gloria was an integral part of the farming and bin-moving business operation, all while raising their seven children. She was sole caregiver to Bubby after an accidental fall left him a paraplegic in 1982.

Gloria loved to dance, and before Bubby’s accident they never missed a dance at any venue close by, especially Sunday nights at the Cat’s Eye between Wendell and Elbow Lake. She was a beautiful lady, inside and out, always coordinating her outfits and jewelry every day, even after moving to assisted living. She suffered from recurring brain tumors and went through three major surgeries in her seventies.

In 2009, she visited Norway and met with cousins and second cousins, visiting her parents’ families and the original farm where her grandfather, Gunnerius Island was born.

She is survived by children: Gary (Gloria), Jeffrey (Sandi), Bonny (Jim Richards), Joni Carter, Brenda (Larry) Dillehay, Robert (Glorianna), and Paul; and granddaughter: Jamie; and many grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her brothers, her husband, Wayne, one infant son, Edward, and son-in-law Daryl Carter.

Arrangements are with Erickson-Smith Funeral Home.