Joseph A. Lee, 91, of Eau Claire, died Tuesday, June 14, 2005, at Clairemont Nursing and Rehabilitation. He was born in Leeds, North Dakota on July 23, 1913, the son of Olaf and Serena (Forness) Lee. In 1918, at the age of 6, he moved to the Town of Chimney Rock, Wisconsin where he grew up. He moved to Eau Claire in 1936 where he worked for Gordon Brothers mason contractors. \r\nJoe married Hazel T. Hill on September 2, 1937, at the Chimney Rock Lutheran Church.\r\nDuring World War II he worked as a welder in the Duluth shipyards. After the war ended, Joe moved back to Eau Claire where he designed and built his own home in 1949. He was a valued 30 year employee at Uniroyal where he built the first radial tire in the United States.\r\nAfter his retirement in 1975, Joe and Hazel spent many weeks during the winter in Texas. In retirement he became an avid golfer making two holes-in-one. He was also a life-long Chicago Cub's fan.\r\nHe was a member of Our Savior's Lutheran Church, and the AFL-CIO. \r\nHe is survived by his wife of almost 68 years, Hazel; his son, Don (Becky) of Oakdale, MN; three grandchildren: Amy (Tony) Olson of Maple Grove, MN, Joel Lee of Aspen, CO, and Regan Oslund of Fulda, MN; great-grandson, Cooper Olson of Maple Grove, MN; and a sister, Selma Eggens of Orfordville, WI.\r\nHe was preceded in death by his parents; an infant daughter, Sandra Joanne Lee; and three sisters, Olga Carpenter, Bertha Borreson, and Lydia Popp.\r\nFuneral services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, June 18, 2005, at Our Savior's Lutheran Church, with Pastor Roger Churness officiating. Burial will be in Forest Hill Cemetery. Family and friends may call from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday at Lenmark-Gomsrud-Linn Funeral Home and one hour prior to services Saturday at the church.\r\nHis family requests memorials be directed to Our Savior's Lutheran Church, 1310 Main St., Eau Claire, WI, 54701\r\n

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