Margaret Kyrle Lee

Funeral services for Margaret Kyrle Lee, 87, will be held at 10 a.m., Tuesday, June 18, 2013, at the Congregational United Church of Christ in Douglas with Pastor Joe Bair officiating, and the eulogist will be Guido Smith. Interment will be held at 2 p.m. in the Lusk Cemetery in Lusk with the Order of Eastern Star honors.

Margaret Lee peacefully passed away on the morning of Monday, June 10, 2013 after a lengthy illness at the Converse County Memorial Hospital in Douglas.

Margaret was born June 18, 1925 the daughter of Charles V. and Elizabeth (Lamb) Lee in Fort Collins, Colo. Margaret attended grade school in Fort Collins and in Lance Creek. She graduated from Manville High School in 1944 and entered the University of Wyoming the following fall. Upon the completion of the required work, Margaret received a Normal Diploma in 1949, a Bachelor of Arts in 1957 and a Master's of Education in 1964.

She began her teaching career, in Jireh, Wyo., as a teacher in a one-room rural school. She taught for 15 years in Jireh and Lance Creek, with the last three years serving as the principal of the Lance Creek Elementary School.

In 1966, Margaret was hired by Eastern Wyoming Community College (EWC) in Torrington as an education instructor. Margaret served as an education instructor, was a member of the Board of Trustees and served as Dean of Instruction until retiring in 1999.

In November 1944, Margaret was initiated into the Order of Eastern Star by Mariposa Chapter No. 35 in Manville. She served as Worthy Matron in 1951 and 1960. She received her first grand appointment in 1957, serving as Grand Ruth, as Grand Martha in 1959 and as Grand Chaplin in 1961.

Margaret was installed as Worthy Grand Matron of the Grand Chapter of Wyoming on Aug. 21, 1965. After the Mariposa Chapter closed, she became a member of Torrington Chapter No. 22, where she twice served as Worthy Matron. She later became a dual member with Glenrock's Golden West Chapter No. 37. She had three loves: her family, Eastern Star and teaching.

After retiring from EWC, Margaret lived in Torrington until 2001 and then moved to Douglas to live with her sister, JoAnn Rasmussen. In 2009, Margaret moved into the Douglas Care Center, where she lived until her death.

During her lifetime, Margaret was a very active member in the affairs of the Lance Creek Community Church, a member of the Wyoming Education Association, a past state secretary of the Department of Classroom Teachers and a member of P.E.O. Above all else, she was a very active member of the Order of Eastern Star of Wyoming.

Margaret is survived by her sister, JoAnn (Tom) Rasmussen of Douglas; her brother, Vernon "Babe" (Patricia) Lee of Casper; nieces and nephews; Melanie (Jerry) Sikes, Monica (Roger) Schulte, Jennifer Lee, Niels (Wanda) Rasmussen, Charlotte (Kieran) Nicholson, Tom (May) Rasmussen, Karyl Ann McCarthy; numerous great nieces and nephews; and a great-great nephew.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Charles V. and Elizabeth Lee; her brothers, Charles V. Lee Jr. and George A. Lee; and niece, Becky Lawson.

Margaret was a very special and dear person, who was loved and respected by her family, friends and the students she taught. Her nieces and nephews were like her own children. She made each and every one of them feel special and loved. Margaret and her twinkling blue eyes and contagious smile will be missed by all who knew her.

Serving as pallbearers will be Charlie Sikes, Patrick Sikes, Jason Lawson, Brandon Schulte, Kelsey Schulte, Taylor Schulte, Case Towner, Jake Towner, Niels Rasmussen II, Katrina Rasmussen, Kyle Nicholson, Meng Long and Chris Rasmussen.

Serving as honorary pallbearers will be all of Margaret's fraternal sisters and brothers in the Order of Eastern Star.

Friends and family may call at the Congregational United Church of Christ from 9 a.m. until 10 a.m. There will be a luncheon to follow the service.

A memorial to the Golden West Chapter No. 37 OES, P.O. Box 487, Glenrock, WY 82637 would be appreciated by the family. The donations will go to the youth scholarship.

Gorman Funeral Homes - Converse Chapel is in charge of the arrangements. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.gormanfh.com.

The Lusk Herald
June 26, 2013
Margaret Kyrle Lee

Funeral services for Margaret Kyrle Lee, 87, were held at 10 a.m. Tuesday, June 18, 2013, at the Congregational United Church of Christ in Douglas, Wyo. with Pastor Joe Bair officiating and the Eulogist was Guido Smith. Interment was held at 2 p.m. in the Lusk Cemetery in Lusk, Wyo. with the Order of Eastern Star honors.

Margaret Lee peacefully passed away on the morning of Monday, June 10, 2013 after a lengthy illness at the Converse County Memorial Hospital in Douglas.

Margaret was born June 18, 1925 the daughter of Charles V. and Elizabeth (Lamb) Lee in Fort Collins, Colo.

Margaret attended grade school in Fort Collins and in Lance Creek, Wyo. She graduated from Manville High School in 1944 and entered the University of Wyoming the following fall. Upon the completion of the required work, Margaret received a Normal Diploma in 1949, a Bachelor of Arts in 1957, and a Master's of Education in 1964.

She began her teaching career, in Jireh, Wyo., as a teacher in a one room rural school. She taught for fifteen years in Jireh and Lance Creek, Wyo., with the last three years serving as the principal of the Lance Creek Elementary School.

In 1966, Margaret was hired by Eastern Wyoming Community College (EWC) in Torrington, Wyoming as an Education Instructor. Margaret served as an Education Instructor, was a member of the Board of Trustees, and served as Dean of Instruction, until retiring in 1999.

In November 1944, Margaret was initiated into the Order of Eastern Star by Mariposa Chapter #35, in Manville, Wyoming. She served as Worthy Matron in 1951 and 1960. She received her first Grand appointment in 1957, serving as Grand Ruth; as Grand Martha in 1959; and as Grand Chaplin in 1961. Margaret was installed as Worthy Grand Matron of the Grand Chapter of Wyoming on August 21, 1965. After Mariposa Chapter closed, she became a member of Torrington Chapter #22, where she twice served as Worthy Matron. She later became a dual member with Glenrock's Golden West Chapter #37. She had three loves; her family, Eastern Star, and teaching.

After retiring from EWC Margaret lived in Torrington until 2001 and then moved to Douglas, Wyoming to live with her sister JoAnn Rasmussen. In 2009, Margaret moved into the Douglas Care Center where she lived until her death.

During her lifetime Margaret was a very active member in the affairs of the Lance Creek Community Church, a member of the Wyoming Education Association, a past state secretary of the Department of Classroom Teachers, and a member of P.E.O. Above all else she was a very active member of the Order of Eastern Star of Wyoming.

Margaret is survived by her sister JoAnn (Tom) Rasmussen of Douglas, Wyoming and her brother Vernon "Babe" (Patricia) Lee of Casper, Wyoming. Nieces and nephews; Melanie (Jerry) Sikes, Monica (Roger) Schulte, Jennifer Lee, John Hubbard, Niels (Wanda) Rasmussen, Charlotte (Kieran) Nicholson, Jason (Missy) Hubbard, Tom (May) Rasmussen, Leah (Tim) Ostrander, Karyl Ann McCarthy, Christopher Lee and numerous great nieces and nephews and great - great nephews and nieces.

She was preceded in death by her parents Charles V. and Elizabeth Lee, her brothers Charles V. (Mary) Lee Jr., George A. (Shiela) Lee, and niece Becky Lawson.

Margaret was a very special and dear person, who was loved and respected by her family, friends, and the students she taught. Her nieces and nephews were like her own children. She made each and every one of them feel special and loved. Margaret and her twinkling blue eyes and contagious smile will be missed by all who knew her.

Serving as pallbearers will be Charlie Sikes, Patrick Sikes, Jason Lawson, Brandon Schulte, Kelsey Schulte, Taylor Schulte, Case Towner, Jake Towner, Niels Rasmussen II, Katrina Rasmussen, Kyle Nicholson, Meng Long, and Chris Rasmussen.

Serving as honorary pallbearers will be all of Magaret's fraternal sisters and brothers in the Order of Eastern Star.

Friends and family called at the Congregational United Church of Christ from 9 a.m. until 10 p.m. There was a luncheon that followed the service.

A memorial to the Golden West Chapter #37 OES, P.O. Box 487, Glenrock, Wyoming 82637 would be appreciated by the family. The donations will go to the youth scholarship.

Gorman Funeral Homes - Converse Chapel is in charge of the arrangements.

Condolences may be sent to the family at www.gormanfh.com

Let your light shine : pioneer women educators of Wyoming
Author: Fillerup, Grace.
Publisher: Alpha Xi State, Delta Kappa Gamma, 1965 ISBN: 0930535014
Margaret K. Lee, page 233-234

Oh, me-o, my-o. How does one begin on a tour of the past? I guess you just begin.

My dad began working for Union Oil Company after graduating from Manville High School. He and my mom married in 1922. They began their married life in Fort Collins, Colorado. The family consisted of three boys and two girls: Charles, George, Vernon, JoAnn, and myself. When I was ten-years-old, we moved to Lance Creek, Wyoming. Dad began working for the Continental Oil Company.

My education began in Fort Collins at La Porte Elementary School and Lance Creek. Elementary School. I then attended Manville High School, graduating in 1944.

I decided to become a teacher at the time when World War II was being fought. Also, I had to find a way to finance my college education. During this period, one year of college certified you to become a rural schoolteacher. My decision was to go this route to get my college degree. Mom and Dad financed my first year, so in the fall of 1944, I enrolled at the University of Wyoming. In the spring of 1945 I began looking for a teaching position. With the help of the Niobrara county superintendent of schools, I signed a contract with Jireh School District. I had six students and five grades. The two-second graders were identical twins, and I was never sure which was which.

In the fall of 1946 I moved to Lance Creek Elementary School. We had two hundred and fifty students with a staff of six teachers. The spring of 1948, I asked for a year's leave of absence so that I could go back to the University and further my education. The leave was granted, and in the spring of 1949, I received a normal diploma. I returned to the Lance Creek Elementary School. Because of an expansion of the oilfield, the school had three hundred and seventy-five students and ten teachers. I stayed through 1950-1953. I asked for another leave of absence then to return to the University of Wyoming to gain another year of education and work.

In 1954 I returned to Lance Creek Elementary School. I stayed through 1954 and 1955. In the spring of 1957, I returned to the University of Wyoming, and when I went back to Lance Creek Elementary, I had a BS degree in Elementary Education in the fall of 1958. As you have already guessed, I stayed at Lance Creek for three years in order to save enough money to be able to go back to get my degree. During the summer of 1962, I began working on my Masters' of Science degree and graduated in the summer of 1965 with my degree, majoring in counseling and guidance.

Because of a commitment begun to the Order of Eastern Star, I did not return to teaching. I was installed as Worthy Grand Matron of Wyoming Grand Chapter in August of 1965 and serv4ed until August of 1966.

During this time I met the president of eastern Wyoming College, Mr. Albert Conger. He contacted me to come in for an interview for a position of education instructor and dean of women. I was hired and began in college in the fall of 1966. My mom and dad and I moved to Torrington where E.W.C. was located. I remained at E.W.C. from 1966 to 1999. During this time I was promoted to Dean of Instruction which I held until I retired in 1999. Through all of these years of teaching I found myself enjoying my students.

The heart condition my dad had had for many years caused his death in 1975. My mom was a very active companion to her children until she passed away in 1977. These two people taught their children the joy found when respect and acceptance of each other with a great deal of love mixed in created the strongest bond for a family. This is the inheritance of the Lee family.

Brother Charles lives in Fort Collins, Colorado. His wife, Mary Lee, passed away in June of 2003 after fifty-eight years of marriage. They had three very beautiful daughters. My sister JoAnn Rasmusssen lives in Douglas, Wyoming. Her husband Tom passed away in 1995 after forty-seven years of marriage. They had two sons and one daughter. Brother George lives in Red Feather Lakes, Colorado, with his wife Sheila. He has one boy and one girl by his first wife and two stepsons brought into the marriage by Sheila. My brother Vernon lives in Casper with his wife Patricia. They have been married forty-nine years and have two daughters. I lived in Torrington, Wyoming until 2001, at that time I moved to Douglas, Wyoming to be with JoAnn. I never married.

The new younger members are being taught the same principals passed down to us - respect, acceptance, and love for each family member.

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