Richard “Dick” Lees, 73 of Carroll, died Tuesday, July 9, 2013 at his residence in Carroll following a battle with cancer.
Mass of the Christian Burial will be at 9:30 a.m. Saturday, July 13, 2013 at St. Lawrence Catholic Church in Carroll. The Celebrant will be Fr. Timothy Schott. Music will be by Marcy Anderson and the St. Lawrence Choir, with Sherry Loughran as song leader. Lectors for the funeral mass will be Richard’s grandchildren, Jack Hummel and Mary Kate Hummel. Gift Bearers will be Richard’s grandchildren Maggie Hummel, Molly Hummel, Anna Kopf, Madeline Kopf, and Sarah Kopf. Eucharistic Ministers will be: Lou Pottebaum, Jean Knobbe, and Ann Christiansen. Casket Bearers will be: Bob Mac Craw, Dick Heimer, Jack Ramaekers, Tom Willwerth, John Sjobakken, and Greg Siemann. The Carroll American Legion will form an honor guard for the funeral mass. Burial will be at the Carroll City Cemetery with military honors conducted by Offutt Air Force Base.
Friends may call at the Sharp Funeral Home in Carroll after 5 p.m. on Friday where there will be a Christian Wake Service by St. Lawrence Parish at 7 p.m. The casket will be moved to St. Lawrence Church at 8:30 a.m. Saturday where visitation will resume until time of the funeral mass.
In lieu of flowers memorials may be sent to New Hope Village or St. Lawrence Catholic Church.
Funeral arrangements are under the direction of the Sharp Funeral Home in Carroll and online condolences may be left for Richard’s family at www.sharpfuneral.com.
Born on March 27, 1940, Richard James was the son of Robert and Alberta (Willwerth) Lees. Richard grew up in Des Moines, graduating from Dowling Catholic High School. He graduated with a B.A. from Loras College and a Masters of Business Administration from the University of Utah. On June 6, 1964 Richard was united in marriage to Jean Sjobakken in Dubuque.
Lt Col Lees was a 22 year veteran of the United States Air Force. He served in Okinawa and Viet Nam from 1968-1969 during which he received the Bronze Star. After returning from a four year assignment in England, he served as Deputy Director for Collections for the Strategic Reconnaissance Center at HQ Strategic Air Command in Bellevue, NE. Upon retiring from the Air Force, he worked as a systems analyst for Science Applications International Corporation for 15 years.
In 2000 Dick and Jean moved to Carroll to be close to daughter Katherine at New Hope Village. In 2005 Dick was the recipient of a heart transplant. Dick’s personal philosophy was “God, family, Country.” He was an avid fan of Notre Dame Football, the Green Bay Packers as well as motorsports and a train enthusiast. He was a much beloved husband, father, grandfather, and a friend to many.
Left to celebrate his life is his wife of 49 years, Jean Lees of Carroll; daughters Jennifer Hummel and husband Jeff of St Louis, MO.; Allison Kopf and husband Pat of Tampa, FL.; and Katherine Lees of New Hope Village, Carroll; eight grandchildren; his in-laws, Sue (Lees) Iber of Des Moines; John (Jan) Sjobakken of Dubuque; and Jerry (Ruth) Sjobakken of Dubuque; as well as several nieces, nephews, other extended relatives and many friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents Robert and Alberta Lees; brothers Rev. Terry Lees and Charles Lees.
