Obituary: Lee Jenkins

Lee Wilson Jenkins was born in Worthington, MN, on February 3, 1924 to parents Edward and Kathryn Ferdinandt Jenkins. He attended Worthington Schools. He attended welding school in Omaha. He enlisted and served his country during World War II in the Navy Seabee's, spending much of his tour on the islands of Eniwetak and Tinian in the Pacific Campaign building the air strips for the bombers that ultimately dropped the atomic bombs on Japan.

He returned to Worthington following the war to marry his wife, Elaine Marie Haack, on March 12, 1947. He worked at the Worthington Rendering Company and then began his farming career in 1949. He also worked winters with his friend Chuck Anderson at Fauskee Plumbing, friend Herman Schackle at K and T gas, his brother Kenneth at Henry Carlson Construction and weekend brick laying jobs with Kenneth too.

He served on the Country School Board where he acquired and installed the first indoor toilet for the school in 1956. He served on the Bigelow City Council and Fire Department. He served in several officer positions in the Haack-Good American Legion Post in Bigelow. He served as Lead Usher at St. Matthew Lutheran for more than 25 years. Lee was always there to lend a helping hand.

He is survived by his wife Elaine, son Joel and grandchildren Colin and Jocelyn of Chanhassen, MN, sister Edeth and brother Kenneth (Gloria) of Worthington, and sister Floretta of Vero Beach, Florida, plus nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. Parents and sisters Gladys Shade of Worthington and Beida Moret of St. Paul predeceased him.

Lee died peacefully at his son Joel's home in Chanhassen about 10 p.m. on March 10, 2013.

Funeral services will be Saturday, March 16, 2013, at 2 p.m., at St. Matthew Lutheran Church in Worthington, with Pastor Tom Braun officiating. Pallbearers are Kris McNab, Danny Russell, James L. Jenkins, Mark Walker, Jerome Rockman, Shane Kluever, and Terry Neugebauer. Honorary pallbearers are the members of the Haack-Good American Legion Post #496. Burial, with military rites, will be in the Worthington Memorial Gardens Cemetery.

Visitation will be Friday, March 15, 2013, from 4 to 7 p.m., at Benson Funeral Home in Worthington and on Saturday, March 16, 2013, from 1 to 2 p.m., at St. Matthew Lutheran Church in Worthington.

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