Roxann C (Didrikson) Lee

Funeral services for Roxann Lee of Ross, MN, will be held on Tuesday, April 4th, at 10:00 a.m. at the Concordia Lutheran Church in Ross. Visitation will be Monday, April 3rd, from 5-7 p.m. at the Helgeson Funeral Home in Roseau with a 7:00 p.m. prayer service.

Roxann Lee passed away on Thursday, March 30th, at the age of 61.  In lieu of flowers, Memorials are preferred to the: Ya Ya Gang (Roseau Relay for Life) or the American Diabetes Association.

Roxann Carol Lee, 61, of Ross, MN, passed away peacefully and surrounded by her loving family and friends at her home on March 30, 2017.  

Roxann was born in Roseau, MN to Marvin and Caroline (Gustafson) Didrikson on July 28, 1955.  She was the youngest of five children.  She grew up on a farm in Nereson Township and attended Faith Lutheran Church.  She graduated from Badger High School in 1973.  After high school she continued her education and attended Golden Valley Lutheran College in Golden Valley, MN and also Concordia University in St. Paul, MN.  She married the love of her life, Donald Lee, on October 1, 1976.  They celebrated forty years of marriage last fall.  Roxann and Don built their home on the Lee family farm and Roxann was a devoted homemaker.  They lovingly raised their two children, Garrett (Priscilla) and Melissa (Jeffrey).  While raising her own children, she also cared for many daycare children whom she cherished.  She worked at Altru Clinic in Roseau as a filing clerk for 19 years.     

Roxann always enjoyed preparing and hosting beautiful luncheons.  She used her very best dishes and crystal and made wonderful meals and the best treats.  She loved hosting family and friends at her home for holidays or afternoon coffee.  Hospitality was her gift.   

She was able to take two trips to Scandinavia with Melissa where she loved seeing the beautiful sights of her heritage and meeting relatives.  She also traveled to many other places over the years and enjoyed sightseeing with family.

Roxann always thought of others first.  She enjoyed creating paper crafts to share with others and sent countless handmade cards to nursing home residents, family and friends over the years.  She also created beautiful family scrapbooks and recipe books.  Another example of her kindness was the creation of homemade treat boxes to share with the Sunday School kids.  Other hobbies included reading, crocheting, cross-stitching, and baking.  Her daycare kids always went home with a chocolate chip cookie.   

Roxann was a member of the Concordia Lutheran Church and the Concordia WELCA, serving in various roles over the years.  She was also the secretary of the local Sons of Norway Lodge and a member of the Ya Ya Gang, Relay for Life team.  She was a local 4-H leader, Sunday School teacher and volunteered for various organizations.     

Family was most important to Roxann.  She was so proud to be Grandma and adored her four grandchildren: Gavin and Carson Lee and Julia and Lauren Rudebusch.  Her grandkids were a huge part of her life and brought her so much joy.  

Part of Roxann’s story is how she persevered through various health issues.  She taught us how to carry on during adverse situations.  On May 9, 2016 she received a call for a donor kidney transplant and she received the new kidney on May 10.  After hospital stays due to many complications, rejections, and infections Roxann’s health started to decline.  Her optimistic attitude allowed her to fight with great resiliency.  Her goal was to get better.  She spent three months at LifeCare Manor with the plan of rehabilitation and therapy, but in the beginning of March 2017 she began Hospice care.  She was able to spend her last weeks at home because of the wonderful care from the Hospice team and friends and family.  

Roxann is preceded in death by her parents, Marvin and Caroline Didrikson and her sister, Pamela Didrikson.

She is survived by her devoted husband, Donald Lee; Son: Garrett (Priscilla) Lee of West Fargo, ND; Daughter: Melissa (Jeffrey) Rudebusch of Hutchinson, MN; Grandchildren: Gavin Lee, Carson Lee, Julia Rudebusch and Lauren Rudebusch; Sisters: Susan Lisell of Roseau, Colette Olson of Roseau; Brother: Roger (Lynne) Didrikson of Roseau; several brothers and sisters-in-law and nieces, nephews and many cousins.     

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