Born to Ora Marie and Earl Leo Lee, Norman Lee arrived on Valentine’s Day, Feb 14^th 1938 and departed this earthly realm on February 8^th 2021. 

He spent his youth playing in the creeks, woods and fields near the family’s farm in Leavenworth, KS. He also loved sketching and painting in watercolor.  He graduated from Leavenworth Sr High, at the young age of 16, earning the nickname “Gartner” by his classmates, referring to his tender age as a “Kindergartner”. 

At the age of 21, a beautiful redhead walked into his shoe store and changed his life, it was love at first sight.  He married Mable Moore, January 3^rd 1959 who remained the love of his life.    They enjoyed 62 years of marriage and were blessed with 4 children; Mark Lee (wife Susan), Laura Kratz (husband Keith), Cheri Jones (husband Dave) and Kristy Lee-Colter (husband William).

During his life, Norman would become a self- taught musician, playing any stringed instrument he could get his hands on, especially the guitar….but his musical love was the Mandolin.  In later years he also became a self-taught luthier, repairing instruments for himself as well as for friends.  With the internet, came the opportunity to find, repair and love all manner of mandolins, fiddles, banjos and guitars, which kept him busy in his free time.

Norman’s musical and artistic legacy was passed down to his children and on to his Grandchildren, through hours of patient teaching, love, support and practice.  He loved his 13 Grandchildren beyond measure regardless of time and distance:  Lyle Lee, Kathy Lee, Zach Edgar, Jill Katz, Jennifer Albin, Elise Kratz, Jessica Gibson, Josh Kratz, Becky Hathaway, Cassandra Balano, Carly Jones, Amber Southerly, and Emma Smith, as well as his 11 great grandchildren. 

Throughout his life, those that met him were struck by his kindness and his patient, un-assuming nature.  Slow to anger, Norman was never harsh or unkind, extending grace to everyone he knew.

He spent his working years in retail carpet sales, working for stores such as Kopp’s, Carpet Corner and Blue Spring Carpet and Tile.  The man knew his carpet.   

Norman and Mable were members of Timothy Lutheran Church in Blue Springs, where he often served as an Usher.  

Norman was a man of quiet faith.  We know he’s now in Heaven, most likely with a stringed instrument in his hands, playing with the angels and entertaining family who preceded him in death:  his parents Ora and Earl, his sister Freda (Lee) Mahle, and three brothers - Alfred, Delbert, and Robert (Bob). 

He will be missed by all who knew him, but especially his wife Mable and sister Leora (Lee) Benson.   

A memorial service is planned for a later date when family and friends are able to gather.