Chas. Orville Lee, 76, of the Town of Washington died Sunday, November 19, 2006, at his home surrounded by his loving family. He was born in Eau Claire on April 1, 1930, the son of Charles and Gena (Gullickson) Lee. He graduated from Eau Claire Senior High School and attended UW-Madison for Agriculture and Life Sciences studies.\r\nOrville married Marilyn K. Severson at the Little Brown Church in Nashua, IA, on March 19, 1960.\r\nHe worked for the Town of Washington for 25 years, until his retirement in 1995. A lifelong resident of Eau Claire, Orville was a produce farmer at the family farm, which was recognized as a Wisconsin Century Farm at the Wisconsin State Fair in 1999. His other interest in agriculture resulted in his planting over one million pine trees in Eau Claire County. His hobbies included gardening, woodworking, fishing, hunting and cribbage. Orville was very proud of his family and fond of gathering together with his children and grandchildren and many friends.\r\nHe was a member of Grace Lutheran Church, Eau Claire where he was baptized and confirmed, Eau Claire Moose Lodge #1408, and was one of the 7 founding members of the Westgate Sportsman's Club.\r\nOrville is survived by his wife, Marilyn; seven children, Christopher (Marie) Lee and Catherine (Mike) Huettl both of Eau Claire, Martin (Kelly) Lee of Mondovi, Melissa (Thomas) Thompson of Monroe, Jennifer (Patrick) Schuch of Elk Mound, Peggy (Troy) Holmstrom and Julie (Jeff) Bowe all of Eau Claire; fifteen grandchildren, Eric and Marc Lee, Jessica and Joshua Huettl, Karisa Kent, Caleb and Kira Lee, Noah, Tanner and Evan Thompson, Joshua and Jacob Swartz, Katie and Alison Holmstrom, and Emma Bowe; many brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nieces, nephews, aunts and uncles. \r\nHe was preceded in death by his parents and three infant siblings.\r\nFuneral services will be held at 2 p.m. on Wednesday, November 22, 2006, at Grace Lutheran Church with the Rev. Rolf A. Nestingen officiating. Burial will be in Lakeview Cemetery. Family and friends may call from 4 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at Lenmark-Gomsrud-Linn Funeral Home and one hour prior to services Wednesday at the church.

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